MELROSE — MAAV’s Walk Committee looks forward to welcoming the community back again to its signature event, the Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil. This year’s Walk theme, “Building Strength Link by Link,” was developed as a symbolic representation of the power of community unity.
The event will be held on Sunday, October 22 at 4 p.m. at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. The Candlelight Vigil will honor the 21 victims of domestic violence homicide this past year with Massachusetts ties. The victims are from across the state, represent all genders and range in age from 12-69. Domestic Violence does not discriminate.
The Vigil is held in the auditorium and also includes music from Alastair Moock and his daughter Clio, as well as a Survivor speaker, Danielle Sicard. Following this powerful service participants will head out on a two-mile walk through Melrose to signify our community coming together to take a stand against Domestic Violence. Church bells will ring out along the route and walkers will be treated to the beautiful voices of local A Cappella group, Blue of a Kind.
MAAV’s annual Community Art Project will be on display at the event. Throughout the fall, people of all ages have taken a moment to reflect on “what strength means to them” and have shared words, phrases, names and drawings on paper chain links that will be joined together to “build strength link by link”. If you would like to participate, send your word or phrase to info@maav.org and we will add a link for you.
MAAV’s programs seek to curb bullying, teen dating abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. The event raises awareness about domestic violence, honors abuse victims, and brings the community together to renew its commitment to preventing further violence.
We look forward to sharing this event with the Melrose community. It truly shows that we all have the choice to promote positive change. There are many ways to get involved and all are welcome to participate in the Walk by forming teams, serving as sponsors, or making individual contributions. We are incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors who help make this event possible and support MAAV programming throughout the year. And to Northeast Illuminators who will generously match all donations to MAAV made at the Walk itself.
If you wish to participate in the Walk, please visit maav.org or contact MAAV at 781-662-2010.