Christy Sims Foundation Announces Approval of 501(c)(3) by IRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maggie Kempken
Board Chair, Strategy and Marketing
404.909.7419
maggie@lexicalllc.com

Organization Will Help Victims of Domestic Violence; Sims to Serve as President

ATLANTA (January 1, 2015) - The Atlanta-based non-profit The Christy Sims Foundation announced today that its 501(c)(3) application to be recognized as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization by the IRS has been approved. Christy Sims, one of its founders and the woman whose attack by her boyfriend with sulfuric acid prompted the formation of the foundation, has opted to remain on the board of directors and serve as foundation president, thereby ending any benefit she receives from the organization.

Sims’ decision to remain on the board and help others instead of herself comes after a year and a half of reconstructive surgeries following the April 2013 attack, which burned her over nearly 20% of her body and put her in a coma for two months. She joins nine other board members, all of whom have supported her since the attack, and will now work to build the new nonprofit into a formidable resource in the fight against domestic violence.

“My recovery is far from over,” said Sims. “But this foundation was always meant to go beyond me and help others. As we went through the application process with the IRS, I decided that I wanted to remain a driving force behind building something that will provide a lasting legacy. What was done to me should never happen to anyone, but if it can serve as the catalyst for helping victims and preventing abuse, then at least some small measure of good will come from it.”

The foundation’s board is currently engaged in strategic planning for 2015, and will be sharing information in the coming months about the programs and resources it will provide in the fight against domestic violence. Sims has also formed an LLC, Courageous Christy, which will take a different focus against domestic violence, and which will help support her and her family through the rest of her recovery.

About The Christy Sims Foundation

The Christy Sims Foundation was founded in response to a tragic incident of domestic violence upon its founder, Christy Tucker Sims. On April 28, 2013, Christy was assaulted with industrial grade sulfuric acid, which burned her over 20% of her body and sent her into a coma for two months. Christy is now on a journey to rebuild her life and the lives of her two children. The mission of the foundation is to educate the community, increase awareness and raise funds to support victims of domestic violence and their children, providing resources to help them rebuild their lives, and support on their journeys to recovery. For more information, please visit www.christysims.org today.