Memorial garden established for people to view

TRYON—The third annual Purple Party for Domestic Violence Awareness Month drew a crowd of about 250 people on Friday. 

The Purple Party has grown over the years so was moved this year to Harmon Field in Tryon. 

The event included free food, t-shirts, games, cakewalks, a memorial garden and a dog costume contest. 

Despite Friday being one of the hottest days of the year, the event was a huge success. 

“Thanks to all the volunteers and everyone who helped make this a free event for our community,” said Steps to HOPE Executive Director B.J. Bayne. 

The memorial garden was new this year and includes names of people who have died from domestic violence in the area over the past 30 years. The garden is now located outside of Steps to HOPE in Columbus and can be viewed throughout the month. 

People are invited to view the memorial garden to learn victims’ stories and remember their names. Names in black represent people who were lost to domestic violence locally and names in white represent those who lost their lives this year along in North Carolina. 

“I really hope people take time out of their days to come read the memorial garden ribbons,” Bayne said. “It really means something to the people that work here to know they are making a difference.”

October is domestic violence awareness month and Steps to HOPE has purple ribbons throughout the community, including in Landrum, Tryon and Columbus. 

Steps to HOPE will end Domestic Violence Awareness month with a movie at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 in Tryon. The movie is Reviving Ophelia, a 2010 Lifetime Original Movie starring Jane Kaczmarek and Kim Dickens. 

The movie will play at the Tryon Theatre and will be free, but donations for Steps to HOPE are encouraged. 

“It is a fundraiser for Steps to HOPE to help continue to provide the resources and shelter for people in our communities that need our help,” Bayne said. “We can only help and meet the needs of our survivors with the help of our community.” 

Bayne said she hopes the community sends a message they want to end domestic violence by showing up to the theatre with friends and family. 

“Let’s end this domestic violence month by filling up the theatre,” Bayne said. “Let’s show our support to help end domestic violence in our community.”