For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Shirley’s House of Hope will host its Eighth Annual Marshfield Iron Chef Competition, “Building Hope through Building Lives,” on Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at RiverEdge Golf Course.

Guests will sample and vote on the competing chefs’ appetizers to determine who wins the People’s Choice Award. A full meal will be prepared by Chef Steve Tollers, a previous Marshfield Iron Chef winner.

Tickets are $60 each and are available at shirleyshouseofhope.org. For more information call 715-486-9000.

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness month. Though many may think that domestic violence does not happen in central Wisconsin, the truth is that eight people died last year due to domestic violence in Wood and its surrounding counties.

Each month Shirley’s House of Hope receives approximately 10 calls from women in need of emergency and program shelter due to domestic violence. Over the past six years, Shirley’s House of Hope has rebuilt, renewed, and restored lives of over 300 women and children hurting from domestic violence.

Its doors are open with the help of volunteers who average a total of 250 hours per week. Financial support is provided through donors in the community and through fundraising efforts such as the Marshfield Iron Chef Competition as well as Striking Out Domestic Violence, which will be held on April 30, 2017.