PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles emergency nurse and mother will attempt to paddleboard across the Strait of Juan de Fuca today to call attention to domestic violence and raise money for Healthy Families of Clallam County.
Hannah Nelson, 32, started a fundraising initiative this summer called Stand Up Against Domestic Violence. As of Saturday, she had raised $3,577 in her Stand Up Against Domestic Abuse Paddle Challenge, according to her website at standup againstdv.org.
The money supports Healthy Families of Clallam County, a private nonprofit that provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in eastern and central Clallam County.
Nelson, who said she is “mama to a spunky toddler girl,” is marking October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by attempting the paddleboard run from Port Angeles to Victoria.
”I will be paddling in hopes of raising awareness that domestic abuse can affect any and all walks of life, and there are resources to help you out of tough situations like Healthy families of Clallam County,” she said in an email.
She said she wants others to know they are not alone.
”It’s important to me to pass on hope,” she said. “Your future after leaving abuse is brighter and better than you could ever imagine.”
Nelson said she also sells shirts with her art on them, printed locally.
For more information, and to donate, go to standupagainstdv.org. Her Instagram account is @what_sup_hannah.
