Local company partners with Safe Shelter to help move domestic violence survivors in October

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - For the month of October, Safe Shelter is partnering with a local business to help move domestic violence survivors from abusive situations in Chatham County, all free of charge.

They’re also helping people furnish their new places.

The company is called College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving.

The deaths associated with domestic violence have gone up this year," said Safe Shelter’s CEO Shannon Gates.

Zach Gilstrap, Owner of College H.U.N.K.S., says he’s seen it firsthand in his former career as a law enforcement officer.

“I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that domestic violence can have on individuals and families,” said Gilstrap. “It was very difficult to see that on the job. Oftentimes, police officers would get involved with non-profit groups to help support those survivors after hours.”

Gilstrap now owns and runs his own franchise of College H.U.N.K.S. The company takes donations from junk removal and different moving jobs.

They separate what’s recyclable from household goods that they can donate back to someone else.

“We store these items at our warehouse. We actually give these items to someone who has absolutely nothing, and it creates their whole life all over again. It really, really makes you feel good,” said Gilstrap.

For the month of October, Gilstrap’s company is partnering with Safe Shelter to move out domestic violence survivors from bad situations.

“A lot of people reach out to us, but rarely do male-led corporations reach out to us. We get lots of female support, as you can imagine, but to actually be contacted by a male-led corporation was surprising and touching to us,” said Bates.

Bates says so far this year, 8 people have been killed by their partners, from domestic violence in Chatham County.

Both Bates and Gilstrap agree that the number can’t go up.

These moving services are offered to both male and female survivors and help set them up for success.

“For them to have that independence and to have that sense of home with a furnished place to go is very impactful, especially as the holidays are coming up. You know, you want to have that sense of home,” said Bates.

If you are in need of these free moving services, the easiest way to get connected is through their website, safeshelter.org. Their hotline is 629-8888.

Here are other ways to reach out to them: Contact Us.