Love Shouldn’t Hurt: An Upcoming Domestic Violence Benefit Event You Don’t Want to Miss
By: Katja Manrodt, BAN, RN, Freelance Nurse Writer with The RNscribe, LLC
*Trigger warning: topics of domestic violence and abuse
Image Source: Pexels
What is one relationship-related concept that people should all agree on as we approach Valentine’s Day? Love shouldn’t hurt.
This important truth is the driving force behind an upcoming event benefiting The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation—a new organization created to honor the memory of one local Minnesota woman tragically lost to domestic violence.
Details of the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Event
Image Source: The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation
The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation looks forward to bringing the community together for a meaningful Valentine’s Day benefit. This upcoming, family-friendly “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” gathering aims to increase awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The benefit event will take place on February 13, 2025 from 5-8pm at the Riverport Inn Express Suites and Event Center, located at 900 Bruski Drive in Winona, Minnesota. Funds raised will support the nonprofit startup costs for The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation and also benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation.
Image Source: The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation
With an entry fee of $10 per person (*kids 10 and under are free), event participants can expect evening of conversation and inspiration, including:
Buffet meal
Speakers
Kids’ Corner
Maddi’s Army merchandise
Photo booth
Raffle and door prizes
and more…!
Individuals wishing to attend this family-friendly fundraiser may buy tickets in the following ways:
In advance or at the door at the Riverport Inn (*cash or check only)
Via The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation’s official Venmo account: @joytricklesin (*earmarked in the donation comment as “Love Shouldn’t Hurt”)
Image Source: The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation
According to event host, Holly Stamschror, the Love Shouldn’t Hurt benefit will be a place “where everyone, man, woman and child, can come learn about domestic violence and sexual assault, have meaningful conversations and make connections.”
Stamschror continues, “I wanted to host this event because Valentine’s Day is typically for those in relationships with their loved ones—but what about those that are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and do not have someone to spend it with?”
As one of the late Madeline Kingsbury’s close friends, Stamschror hopes the evening will allow people to “enjoy each other’s company, learn and to remember a wonderful woman, Maddi.”
“We are working on the startup for The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation, so any donations will be going to this and the Joyful Heart Foundation,” explains Stamschror, who was recently appointed as the foundation’s Vice President.
Who is Madeline Kingsbury, and What is the Madeline Kingsbury Foundation?
Image Source: The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation
The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation was created by the friends and family of a vibrant young woman who lost her life to domestic violence. In the spring of 2023, Madeline Kingsbury vanished after dropping her two young children off at their daycare in Winona, Minnesota. The last person to see Madeline was her ex-partner and children’s father, with whom she had an abusive past.
Madeline was a hard-working clinical researcher, devoted mother, and compassionate human being. Her loved ones fought tirelessly with the help of law enforcement to find the truth and bring Madeline home. Two months later, Madeline’s body was found—with all evidence pointing to a history of intimate partner abuse, ending in her horrific and preventable death. Justice is currently being served through a lifelong prison sentence for 1st-degree premeditated murder.
The upcoming “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” event will proudly honor Madeline’s legacy. Proceeds for this benefit event will contribute toward the vital nonprofit startup costs of The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation—such as website hosting, communication systems, Microsoft 365, and filing fees. This developing foundation aims to provide education and assistance to victims of domestic violence.
Image Source: The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation
Team members continue working diligently toward the ultimate goal to become an official 501(c)(3) organization. Please note that current donations are not tax deductible. However, all contributions work directly toward this classification in the near future.
The efforts of organizations like The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation are crucial for victims of domestic violence. According to Holly Stamschror:
“I met Madeline in 2014, and she completely changed my life. Her kindness and compassion for every single person she came across inspired me. I want the loss of my friend’s life to mean something to others. I want her story to prevent others from going through the same thing she did.”
Why Should We All Care about Domestic Violence?
The issue of domestic abuse extends far beyond Madeline Kingsbury’s story. Statistically, almost 50% of all women report experiencing physical violence and psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In addition, Break the Cycle also states that, “More than 16 million people in the US suffer from intimate partner abuse per year.” This includes nearly 2 in 5 men.
Madeline’s friends and family wish for something positive to come out of her tragic experience. In the words of her mother, Krista Hultgren:
“Madeline wanted to change the world. We hope that this foundation will carry on her hopes for making life better and safer, and for making people feel like they are enough.”
We invite as many people as possible to attend this benefit and to support the ongoing work of The Madeline Kingsbury Foundation. Domestic violence is a serious public health issue that deserves more space in our conversations, airwaves, feeds, policies, and hearts…
We cannot be silent about the seemingly simple fact that love shouldn’t hurt!
The RNscribe, Freelance Nurse Writer
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