Organization
The Wild Heart Organization is a 501©(3) non-profit organization. Our logo has been trademarked through the U.S. Department of Patents and Trademarks. Our energy and resources will go to benefit area domestic violence prevention, education, and stopping the cycle of domestic violence needs.
On January 11, 2001, our family suffered a tragedy that forever changed all our lives. Our daughter, Michelle, was murdered by her husband with her two little girls listening and experiencing the horrific events of that night. Through tragedy of loss, Wild Heart was born. Our family struggled with the simplest tasks of finding information and assistance in taking care of the debris left behind. Our family knows, because we’ve paid the ultimate price of domestic violence through the loss of a loved one.
On January 11, 2001, our family suffered a tragedy that forever changed all of our lives. Our daughter, Michelle R. Gifford, was murdered by her husband with her two little girls listening and experiencing the horrific event of that night. Through the tragedy of loss, The Wild Heart Association was born. Wild Heart began as a fundraiser for Michelle’s two little girls who were 9 months and 3 1/2 years old at the time of the murder.
No insurance, no savings, and no resources were available at that time to help with the expenses the family incurred that tragic night. Michelle’s closest friends and cousins organized two Wild Heart Benefits. After the benefit events, we felt that we needed to turn our loss into something positive that would tell our story and leave a legacy of hope for Michelle’s two little girls as they grew up. Our story is a testimony of faith and hope. Through the Grace of God we walked through this terrible darkness and came out in the light with his Mercy.
Wild Heart owes its beginning to a very special group of people that expanded to an outpouring of support and love encompassing two counties.
The original Wild Heart Benefit was organized by Michelle’s best friend, Mel – her cousins Wendy and Missy – a local newspaper and TV celebrity, Todd – close and dear friends Johnny and Amy, Linda, Kelly, and Denise. Later, the group included Michelle’s little sister Melanie who moved back from New York after the tragedy.
The communities of Howard and Tipton Counties in Indiana reached out to our family and especially Michelle’s two little girls not only with their hearts but their donations. The generosity of local businesses and business leaders resulted in two benefits that made all the difference in our lives. I am sure that none of the organizers or contributors will ever truly understand the depth of their generosity.
Wild Heart evolved into a full 501(c)(3) non-profit organization after the initial benefits. No one would have ever guessed the outcome of those first actions of that small group of friends and family. Wild Heart is a “tribute” in part to those individuals who loved Michelle so much to put their own lives on hold to make sure the benefits were successful. They took time away from their families to help ours and for that we will be eternally grateful.
On behalf of all of Michelle’s family and especially her two little girls, we thank all of you for your love and compassion and helping us through our darkest hours. Wild Heart is a living legacy for her two little girls and a testimony of our faith and the power of God’s Grace.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Your donation to Wild Heart Organization helps us to realize our goal of a world without domestic violence. We work as a not-for-profit organization utilizing each contribution to help those in need. Your donation goes directly towards our work to extract innocent women and children from dangerous situations.
Domestic violence is a leading cause of serious injury to women, more common than rape, muggings, and car crashes. Many go left unreported. Domestic violence victims are more than just statistics. They are your co-workers, neighbors, friends, or family. They have names: Michelle, Alex, Renee, Nicole. Children are often the silent victims witnessing and experiencing the darkest edges of domestic violence. Victims are not just the ones abused, others including children, suffer from the affects of domestic violence in their lives.
A lack of understanding is one of the greatest obstacles in ending a cycle of domestic violence in a life or in a family environment. Wild Heart will enhance community efforts to help end the cycle of domestic violence. Community outreach programs, a speakers bureau of survivors, fund raising, and working with existing area programs will “shatter the silence” of an ever growing societal tragedy – domestic violence.
Over 85% of families are affected by domestic violence in some form or another. Domestic Violence is much more than just physical abuse. It includes emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, threats of violence and revenge, property damage, harming pets, and physical abuse. Often, children are the silent victims. We know the horrific aftermath of domestic violence and lost a daughter. Not only did we lose a daughter but two little girls lost their mother and has lived with that loss and will for a lifetime. Wild Heart is a legacy for our daughter in an effort to prevent another family from going through this devastating loss.
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Donated
Helping Families and Victims
Volunteers
A lack of understanding is one of the greatest obstacles in ending the cycle of domestic violence.
Healthy relationships and resources for assistance.
All persons have the right to live without fear, oppression, emotional/physical abuse.
Shattering the Silence of Domestic Violence
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