Walking to remember

Times Reporter

 

The month of November is Family Violence Prevention month, and the Community Crisis Society has been promoting awareness all month. It began with roses being delivered to local businesses with a card explaining that the roses were for the men, women, and children in Alberta who have died of victims of domestic violence.

November 5 was the annual harvest dinner and silent auction, which saw 300 people in attendance. The final awareness event for the month was the Moonlight Walk of Hope on Nov. 23. 

“We walk, basically around Kinsmen Park in support of a non-violent community because November is Family Violence Prevention month and so that’s why we do this every year,” said Paul Thomas with the Community Crisis Society. 

After walking around the park the participants walked to the Strathmore United Church to see the silent victims and to hear the speeches made by the RCMP, the mayor and other members of the community. 

“We have seven (silent victims) but I think there is 50 in total,” said Karen Pease, executive director for the Community Crisis Society.

“They represent seven people who have lost their lives to family violence, and each one of them has a write-up on their chest about who they were, when they lived and when they died.”

The walk began in 1997, and though some years there are more participants than others it is still going strong. 

“If anyone would like to call us to find out how they can help the shelter for Christmas we’d invite them to do that,” said Pease. 

Pease said they are looking to help their families at the shelter for Christmas and people can all 403-394-6634.