Gilliland tops all fund-raisers at third annual DV Shelter event
Edith Gilliland, the legal department manager for Richland County Children Services, again topped all entrants this past weekend in the third annual Great Sleep Out Against Domestic Violence.
Gilliland, who finally called off her efforts Saturday night after 53 hours on a mattress outside Johnny's Mattress and Furniture Superstore on Ashland Road, raised $8,000 in the benefit for the local Domestic Violence Shelter.
Two other entrants lasted two hours longer, but didn't raise as much money as Gilliland.
As a group, the six entrants that started the event under a 60-foot tent on Thursday afternoon combined to raise $25,000. With that total, organizers hope to raise $50,000 with the help of a federal matching funds grant Congress passed this year for domestic violence shelters.
Gilliland was the only returning entrant from last year. She also raised the most money during that event, staying awake for 62 consecutive hours.
In two years, she has stayed awake during the event for 115 hours and raised $15,000 for the local DV Shelter.
