OCEANFRONT WALK/RUN AIMS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Liz Carey, Virginian Pilot
October 19, 2012
Volunteers at Samaritan House, the largest domestic violence shelter in the state, respond to more than 8,000 crisis calls each year.
While they advocate for a very serious issue, several hundred domestic violence survivors, activists and supporters will come together at the Oceanfront for a fun event this Sunday - the Samaritan House's ninth annual De-Feet Domestic Violence 5K Walk/Run.
The event will feature live entertainment by Tiki Bar Band, face painting, and a one-mile Fun Run for children, but still carries a heavy message; this year's theme of the 5K Walk/Run is "Every journey begins with a step."
"For our clients, the first step is often the most difficult," executive director Angela Kellam said. "With this year's theme, we want to celebrate the survivors of domestic violence and give voice to the victims."
Another highlight of the event is Purple Palooza, awarding prizes to the pet, child and adult wearing the most, or the most creative use of, purple - the color of domestic violence awareness.
"Domestic violence is a serious issue, but we wanted the race to get the mission across and still have some fun," said race director Shannon Higgons, of J&A Racing. "We want people to know there's hope - there's light at the end of the tunnel, and the Samaritan House helps give them the tools to free themselves."
Samaritan hosts the 5K and other events each October to commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, said Shereese Floyd-Thompson, Samaritan House's development and marketing coordinator.
According to Samaritan House, 1 in 4 women will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime, and 1 in 3 homicides in Virginia resulted from domestic violence.
"We realize what we do is heavy stuff - we just want to make sure there's a balance, and that they understand there is hope in this life," Floyd-Thompson said. "Not everyone dies. People do get out of those situations, and thrive, and get a better life."
Proceeds from the 5K help provide shelter and benefits to victims of violence. Samaritan House, the largest shelter in Virginia, houses about 100 people each night and about 500 people a year in its emergency or transitional shelters, Floyd-Thompson said.
"We're moving so fast that we don't recognize that it's around us all the time," Floyd-Thompson said. "I think there are times where people aren't tuned in to other people, and people who are actually going through it end up suffering in silence."
Joycelyn Calloway, president of the Exodus Grand Lodge and Rose of Sharon Grand Chapter, State of Virginia, a nonprofit community service organization, has been volunteering at the event for three years, and will be at a face-painting station at Sunday's event.
"I hope this raises awareness and makes people more mindful of how they treat their family and how they treat others," Calloway said. "It's like a mirror - you look in it every day, but do you actually see who you are and what you do?"
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