Elaine Dwire, second from right, presents a plaque of appreciation to Shaunagh Walsh of Desert Community Bank. Also pictured are DCB are branch manager Reuel Herron, left, and Phillip "Doc" Fouts. Fouts and Dwire have operated the non-profit Lucerne Valley Domestic Outreach shelter for several years. Peter Day, Lucerne Valley Leader
By Peter Day
Senior Reporter
Once again a member of the business community has stepped forward to help keep the non-profit Lucerne Valley Domestic Violence Outreach going and assisting those in need.
Last month, Phillip "Doc" Fouts and Elaine Dwire, who run the shelter, were visited by Reuel Herron and Shaunagh Walsh of Desert Community Bank. The DCB guests brought along a check donation.
"We just like doing it because it's the right thing to do," said Herron, who is branch manager of DCB's Victorville Branch. DCB is a division of East West Bank.
Herron credited Walsh with finding a worthwhile local program to assist. The bank also has "adopted" a family in need and helped the community in other ways.
The appreciative Fouts and Dwire have been running the former motel site for several years. Dwire serves as the office manager, and Fouts is the counselor.
The center, located at 32649 Highway 18, is a 72-hour emergency shelter which also offers legal assistance, counseling, emergency food and clothing and transportation to long-term shelters.
If you need assistance with a domestic violence issues, or if you are interested in making a donation, call the center at (760) 248-2064.