The Eve Eskin Brown Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, helps victims of domestic abuse break the chains of domestic violence. This year, the foundation is holding its first annual Holiday Food and Toy Collection drive through Dec. 15.

The foundation was formed by the Eskin family and friends following the disappearance and death of Eve Eskin Brown. As noted in its mission statement, the foundation realizes that domestic violence alters the lives of untold numbers of women and children. It strikes families living in wealth as well as poverty. It reaches across the lines of race, religion and culture. It is found in homes of those with limited education as well as those with advanced college degrees.

To help combat the destructive forces of domestic violence, The Eve Eskin Brown Foundation was created to act as an advocate for victims by creating, supporting, and enhancing opportunities to assist survivors break the chains of domestic violence and abuse. The foundation's mission statement notes that it will strive to enhance efforts to end domestic violence through the sponsoring of educational programs and events as well as by providing free legal counseling regarding domestic violence issues.

When it was first created, the initial project of the foundation was to award scholarships to survivors of domestic violence. Those scholarships have been awarded to individuals throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties who use the funds toward an educational program that will help them achieve career goals.

In cooperation with the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the foundation began awarding scholarships to deserving applicants in 2001. In addition, the foundation sponsors educational programs, participating in public awareness programs to combat domestic violence and to act as an advocate for abused children. The long-term goal of the foundation is to create a Sanctuary House, a safe home for battered and abused women and children.

Eve Eskin Brown disappeared on July 10, 1999 after leaving her home in Plainview to visit a friend. Although first classified as a missing person case, Nassau County Police soon treated it as a probable homicide. Her remains were found 16 months later alongside the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. To this day, the case still remains unsolved and under investigation by the 75th Precinct Detective Squad in Brooklyn.

Eskin Brown was a marriage and family counselor who dedicated her life to helping others. Described by her family as a caring and most giving person, she founded and directed a counseling center for individuals and groups. Her organization, The Support Center, specialized in providing assistance for battered women and children. Reaching out to the community, Eskin Brown provided pro bono work for PTA and other child-related groups. Her passion to help others in need inspired others to create the Eve Eskin Brown Foundation so that her work and ideals may continue.

Since its creation, the Eve Eskin Brown Foundation has continued to expand its commitment to helping the survivors of domestic violence. Some recent activities include providing $2,500 to fund a computer program for victims of domestic violence in cooperation with the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The class met with great success for over 25 women and discussions to fund this program again are currently in progress. The foundation also created a Speaker's Bureau to help make the community more aware of the program in June 2002. The service is free of charge and available to community organizations throughout the region. In addition, the foundation became a charter member of the Farmingdale Community Summit Council and participated in the first annual Community Summit held this spring to help publicize the evils of domestic violence.

The foundation also held its second annual Moonlight Bowl this summer to help raise funds to allow them to continue their mission. In September, the foundation joined an alliance with Child Abuse Protection Services (CAPS) by providing $2,500 to underwrite the printing costs of the Steer Clear of Bullies Activity Book that will be used by CAPS volunteers throughout many Long Island school districts.

Now the foundation has launched its first annual Holiday Food and Toy Collection Drive which began in mid-October and continues through Dec. 15. All food and toys will be distributed through community organizations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties by organizations such as Coalitions Against Domestic Violence and the YES Community Counseling Center. Much of the food collected was distributed this week, in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, to various interfaith charities and soup kitchens. In addition, students from the Farmingdale and Commack School Districts are participating in the collection and distribution process. Two collection sites have been created in each county. Local residents may drop off contributions at:

The Office of Dr. Shari L. Eskin

707 Broadway in Massapequa (798-6357)

The office is next to the 7-11, south of Jerusalem Ave.

Evan S. Hummel/Fusco

Brandenstein & Rada

180 Froehlich Farm Blvd

Woodbury (677-5400)

Individuals or organizations who may wish to help break the chains of domestic violence, may contact the Eve Eskin Brown Foundation by mail at PO Box 218, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Checks may be made payable to the Eve Eskin Brown Foundation. All contributions are tax deductible. For more information about the foundation, call 756-0335 or visit www.evefoundation.com.