The Jeep Babes Enthusiast Club Michigan Chapter will hold a collection event on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Mugs Coffee & Grub in White Lake, Michigan, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, gathering personal hygiene products, laundry baskets, and Meijer gift cards in an 18-foot trailer to donate to HAVEN, the largest shelter and advocacy agency for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault in Michigan. HAVEN provides services to men, women, children, and their pets, regardless of location.
At 12:00 p.m., a convoy of approximately 50 Jeep vehicles will travel to HAVEN Headquarters in Pontiac to present the collected items, along with funds raised through the club's annual Show and Shine charity event held on September 19, 2025, at Birch Run Speedway. All proceeds from the Show and Shine event are being donated to support HAVEN's programs.
“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we are proud to support HAVEN's critical work,” said Jaime Matthews, President of the Jeep Babes Enthusiast Club Michigan Chapter. “The increasing lethality of intimate partner violence in Michigan makes this cause more urgent than ever.”
According to the Michigan State Police, 68,000 intimate partner violence incidents were reported in 2023. Although the overall number of reported domestic violence incidents in Michigan has declined in recent years, the cases have become more lethal. Between 2010 and 2022, reports decreased, yet fatalities from these incidents rose. Lifetime prevalence rates indicate that a significant portion of Michigan’s adult population has experienced intimate partner violence, with women disproportionately affected. Members of the LGBTQ+ community also report high levels of IPV.
Anne Mantha, Chief Philanthropy Officer at HAVEN, emphasized the importance of community support. “Donations like these enable us to continue providing safety, shelter, and advocacy for survivors. The generosity of the Jeep Babes and their supporters directly impacts the lives of those fleeing violence.”
HAVEN, based in Pontiac, Michigan, offers a comprehensive range of services, including emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and a 24-hour helpline. The agency also provides resources for pets, recognizing that survivors often delay leaving abusive situations due to concern for their animals.
For more information about HAVEN and its programs, visit HAVEN's website. Details about the Jeep Babes Enthusiast Club Michigan Chapter and their upcoming events can be found at their website.
The collection event and convoy underscore a growing recognition that intimate partner violence remains a pervasive issue in Michigan, demanding sustained community engagement and resources to combat its rising lethality.
