ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The staff of The Lighthouse is busy preparing for two fun events.

The Lighthouse is a Baldwin County organization that provides services to those who are the victims of sexual assault or domestic violence.

But there is one misconception about The Lighthouse that Development and Communications director Christine Armstrong would like cleared up.

“I hear from people who tell me they wanted to call us, but didn’t need shelter, or want to stay in a shelter,” she said. “Only 5 percent (of the people we help) stay in a shelter.”

Instead, women and men facing issues of domestic and sexual abuse can access The Lighthouse’s services which include help with planning how to leave an abusive situation safely, counseling, and information on how to obtain a “PFA,” a protection from abuse court order.

A PFA can be an important part for a victim’s plan to stay safe.

“The victim can go to court and get one (a PFA order) She does not need a lawyer, she can do it herself.” said Lighthouse Executive Director Jerry Somer

“And if an offender violates it (the PFA), he can be arrested on the spot,” added Armstrong.

The Lighthouse also offers court advocates, someone who assists a victim navigate through the sometimes confusing court system.

Somer and Armstrong were happy to talk about upcoming events and the work Lighthouse does all year long.,

The “Easter Eggstravaganza,” an Easter Egg hunt for youngsters in Garrett Park in Robertsdale will be held April 10.

“The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the hunt at 11,” said Armstrong. “We have lots of fun things.”

“It’s really a fun event,” said Somer, explaining that while there will be information on The Lighthouse’s services, the event is geared for youngsters.

The hunt is broken into at least three age groups, with the youngest pulling their eggs out of a wading pool filled with eggs.

The Lighthouse expects to have around 5,000 eggs available for youngsters, and will gratefully accept donations of plastic eggs and candy (no chocolate). Call 947-6197 for more information.

For those with a taste for the fine arts, not candy, the Lighthouse’s annual art competition will be held in April. Full details are at The Lighthouse’s Web site, abeacon.org. But artists should be aware the deadline to register is April 1.

Framed artwork should be no larger than 36 inches by 36 inches, including frames. Work, accompanied by a $25 entry fee will be accepted at the Foley Performing Arts Gallery at 118 West Laurel Avenue in downtown Foley from March 23 to April 1. If there are any questions, call Bonnie Blaylock at 968-1787.

Fun aside, the work The Lighthouse can be tough.

“It’s alarming how much the severity of domestic violence has increased in this area,” said Armstrong, adding that new names, including one male have been added to the “Remember My Name” section of the shelter’s Web site, a place that memorializes area residents killed as a result of domestic violence.

“The increase is alarming,” said Armstrong. “This is since June of 2008.”

“We normally average a couple (of deaths) a year, but we’ve had none the past two years.”

Armstrong added that the shelter has been “busier than ever,” the busiest since The Lighthouse opened in 1994.

If a person feels unsafe in a relationship, be it from a romantic partner or a family member, Armstrong said “If you feel in danger, you should call.”

Even if a person’s situation isn’t a match for the Lighthouse’s services, they can make referrals to other agencies that can help.