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Harpers Ferry shop helps raise funds for EPEC

By Staff | Mar 15, 2019

Tenfold Fair Trade, a shop in Harpers Ferry, contributed 15 percent of sales last weekend to EPEC. Toni Milbourne

HARPERS FERRY — International Women’s Day, celebrated around the world, gave cause for Martha Ehlman, owner of

Tenfold Fair Trade in Harpers Ferry, to partner with the Shepherd University Anti-Human Trafficking Task

Force as that group sponsored a Shop for Safe Nights fundraiser.

The fundraising event was held over two days, March 8 and 9 to raise funds for the Eastern Panhandle

Empowerment Center (EPEC), formerly known as the Martinsburg Women’s Shelter.

“I have worked with them for several years,” said Ehlman. “It’s not a huge fundraiser, but, being a

women’s-centered business-every little bit helps.” Ehlman explained that many artisans around the

world are women and that relates to her business that specializes in promoting fair trade.

Tenfold Fair Trade is affiliated with the fair trade organization that guarantees fair wages to artisans for

their work, much of which is done with recycled materials.

For more information on fair trade and how it impacts individuals worldwide, visit

www.fairtradefederation.org.

International Women’s Day, as defined by the United Nations, is “a day when women are recognized for

their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic

or political.”

EPEC offers a wide range of services to those in need, including assistance for those who have been

victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, LGBT targeting, stalking or human trafficking. The

organization offers actual assistance as well as resources for other services individuals may need.

With the change from the Women’s Shelter to EPEC, the organization broadened its scope to “eliminate

violence against all people.”

Ehlman shared that her shop raised $150 over the two-day fundraiser, which was 15 percent of the

sales.

“It’s not a lot but it is enough for one-and-a-half safe nights for someone,” Ehlman shared.

Shepherd’s Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce organizes many events, including fundraisers such as this

one, to offer assistance to those who may need safety nets or other services. The specific goal for this

fundraising event was to earn funds to provide safe nights.

If anyone is interested in giving to EPEC even though the timeline of the fundraiser is over, they may

send donations to EPEC, Attn: Vivian Baylor, 236 Martin St., Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401.

The Women’s Shelter, now EPEC, has provided assistance for women and children in Berkeley, Morgan

and Jefferson counties for more than 30 years.

To find more information on assistance in Jefferson County, call 304-725-7080. Those wishing to

patronize Tenfold Fair Trade can find the store at its new location at 180 High Street in Harpers Ferry.