A branch of Avon’s Foundation for Women donated $10,000 to the Marystown women’s shelter, Grace Sparkes House (GSH), Aug. 30.

The donation is in recognition of local sales leader Elaine Tarrant and her team’s fundraising efforts, which have raised nearly $14,000 for GSH since 2012.

Tarrant says she is “grateful and thankful” for the donation.

“It’s hard to believe that a little walk that we started in 2012 which raised a few hundred dollars could come to this. It just shows that everybody can make a difference.”

Lynn Skeans, Avon’s business development manager for N.L., says supporting Tarrant’s efforts was very important to the company.

“Avon is all about the empowerment of women.”

The giant cheque was presented to the charity’s board of directors on Aug. 30 at Grace Sparkes House. How it will be spent is a decision the board has yet to figure out but, according to Tarrant, that shouldn’t be too hard.

“There is always a need,” she says.