Representatives with the Richmond Hill Police Department and the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department said the Tri-County Protective Agency, a safe shelter covering Bryan, Liberty and Long counties, is in need of help.

They are asking residents to donate a variety of goods to help the agency, which has helped many Bryan County women and children in need over the years, according to RHPD Cpl. Susan Willis.

The shelter is often used by both agencies when dealing with domestic abuse cases. Among the items needed are paper products, bedding, pantry items and clothing. Willis said residents can now drop the items off at the RHPD station.

"I spoke with the shelter’s director, and she said this would be a great time of year to donate," Willis said. "They got a lot of donations over the holidays, but she said they scrape by the rest of the year."

Willis said approximately 10 percent of local women and children involved in Richmond Hill domestic crimes utilize the shelter. On average, the department receives 75 domestic cases per year. She said there has been a surge of this type of crime lately "probably due to the economy and the stress of the holidays."

Bryan County Sheriff’s Detective Resa Edwards said the goods are always in need at the shelter because victims do not take the time to pack anything in order to avoid further confrontation.

Edwards said victims of domestic violence often have nowhere to go after an incident and the shelter, the location of which remains confidential, plays a vital role.

Willis said the Tri-County Protective Agency does much more than house victims. They assist in attaining protective orders, counseling and work as a go-between with United Way and other agencies.

For more information about donating to the shelter, call Willis at 756-2672 or the shelter at 368-9200.