Steps to HOPE to host awareness walk Oct. 19

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, August 29, 2018

To honor National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Steps to HOPE will hold its second annual Purple Party & Domestic Violence Awareness Walk from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19 at Stearns Park in Columbus.

Attendees are encouraged to wear purple to show support for everyone affected by domestic abuse.

Hot dogs, provided by Patty Otto and the Hare & Hound Pub, will be served straight off the grill, accompanied by chips provided by Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill. Free soft drinks and waters will also be available along with snow cones, popcorn, and candy.

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Steps to HOPE will be giving out purple items to wear such as beads, nail polish, hair extensions and free T-shirts, as long as they last. Children will enjoy a balloon moonwalk, an inflatable obstacle course and slide, lawn games, a photo booth, activities, and more, in an effort to bring awareness to the ever-growing problem of domestic violence.

Information about services offered by Steps to HOPE to assist victims and to end domestic violence altogether will be readily available to all.

The first ever Purple Party & Domestic Violence Awareness Walk was attended by more than 150 people, and was a great success, organizers said. Steps to HOPE plans to host this awareness event each year in October to honor National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and will make it bigger and better every year, they added.

Steps to HOPE’s main goal is to assist those being affected by domestic violence and sexual assault in western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. For more information or for assistance, people may the 24-hour helpline at 828-894-2340.

Submitted by Paula Ravan