Seventh annual walk brings awareness to domestic violence in WareDate: 11/1/2022 WARE – Purple clothing and large-scale signs stood out in a crowd of over 100 people, all gathered for one reason: to bring awareness to domestic violence.
On Oct. 22, the Ware River Valley Domestic Violence Task Force hosted their seventh annual walk. Survivors and supporters of domestic and sexual violence first gathered at Veterans Park to hear a series of speakers.
Monica Moran, coordinator of the Ware River Valley Domestic Violence Task Force, began by dedicating the walk to Shannon Eldredge, a supervisor to the program, who passed away a few days before the event.
“[Shannon] had a huge impact on the task force,” said Moran. A moment of silence followed the kind remarks about Eldredge.
Vicky Thresher, a member of the Ware Junior/Senior High School Domestic Violence Task Force, introduced Laurie Brooks who provided the event’s music, along with a few guest speakers. This included state Rep. Todd Smola, state Sen. Anne Gobi and Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan.
Sullivan acknowledged the Ware Junior/Senior High School Domestic Violence Task Force as “the change.”
“You’re going to save lives,” he said, while looking at the members standing in front of him.
Caitlin McCarthy, vice-chair of the Ware Select Board, also shared a few words.
At 1:30 p.m., participants went on a quarter-to half-mile walk, holding their signs high as they marched down Main Street. Passersby beeped their horns as they drove past the flock.
When they returned to Veterans Park, a closing prayer was shared by Steven Sousa from St. Paul’s Church of Palmer.
Between the beautiful weather and sizable turnout, Moran shared, the event was a success.
A statewide helpline was recently launched for people who use abuse in their intimate partner relationship and want to work toward becoming safe. To learn more about the helpline, visit
https://www.facebook.com/ACallforChangeHelpline or call 877-898-3411.
For people in the Ware area who want domestic violence advocacy services, they can receive local help through BHN Domestic Violence Services in Ware by calling 262-7103. For Spanish speaking advocates, call Alianza Domestic Violence Services at 877-536-1628.
To learn more about the Ware River Valley Domestic Violence Task Force, visit their website at https://www.waredvtaskforce.org/.
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