The public

is invited to drop by any of the three Fayette County Gold's Gyms, purchase

a bottle of water for $2 and enter a drawing for a chance to win a basket

valued at over $80. Each gym is selling water and each gym has a basket

to give away July 1. Proceeds from the sale of the water will be donated

to the council.

Additionally,

the three gyms are collecting old cell phones that will be reprogrammed

to dial 911 by Motorola and donated to the council.

"The response

to the cell-phone donation portion of the fund-raiser has been overwhelming.

We are hoping that the sale of water will be as successful as the cell

phone donation program," said corporate marketing director Janet

McGregor. "Gym members have been very supportive in contributing

cell phones, buying water and many have contributed more than the amount

requested for the water."

Children in

homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or neglected

at a rate 1,500 percent higher than the national average, according to

the National Woman Abuse Prevention Program. The annual health care costs

for treatment of injuries from domestic violence are estimated to be $5

billion to $10 billion, according to American Medical News.

Bringing the

numbers closer to home, in 1999 local law enforcement officers responded

to more than 575 domestic violence calls in Fayette County. The council

assisted 330 individual clients in 1999 and 373 in 2000.

To find out

how you can help, phone 770-460-1604 or visit the council's Web site at

members.aol.com./faydv/fccdv.com.

To contribute

to the council, stop by Gold's Gym Fayetteville on Ga. Highway 85 next

to Big Lots, 770-716-7090; Gold's Gym East on Ga. Highway 54 near Publix,

770-487-4273, or Gold's Gym West on the corner of Ga. Highway 74 and Aberdeen

Parkway in Peachtree City, 770-631-9901. The three gyms will be selling

water, collecting cell phones and accepting donations through June 30.

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