MAAV’s Vigil and Walk was a success

THIS YEAR’S WALK was led by members of the Student Action Board who facilitate workshops on healthy relationships, consent and gender roles at Melrose High School. (Raj Das, edphotos.com)

The following was submitted by Mary Beth Walsh of the Melrose Alliance Against Violence.

MELROSE — Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the many community members who attended the 29th Annual Candlelight Vigil and Walk to end Domestic Violence on Sunday, October 6. We began the event by honoring 27 victims who lost their lives to Domestic Violence in Massachusetts this year. Following the Vigil, attendees walked the two mile route through Melrose while church bells rang out in unison and unity. 

We were honored to be joined by Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis, State Sen. Jason Lewis and State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, all who stood up for a victim and read their name. Accompanying them as readers were Chief Kevin Faller of Melrose PD and Chief John White of Melrose FD, Melrose School Superintendent Adam Deleidi and Anthony Chui of Melrose Health Department, Charlie Melia of ConnectPay, Geri Guri of Lisa’s Family Pizza, Priscila DeSouza-Silveira of Northern Bank, Linda Forti of Orange Rose Foundation and Karen Andrews of Tufts Medicine. MAAV Board Members Joe Guarino and Karen Willis, former Board Member Mary Landergan and MAAV Student Action Board Members Mackenzie Arcovio, Sid McQuaid, Leila Contin and Maddie Bolduc. Amy Chiaravalloti of WAAV as well as community members and MAAV champions Cathy and Ben Li, Rebecca Mooney, Anne Whiting and Shannon Niland. 

MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL Volleyball team showing their support. (Raj Das, edphotos.com)

Music for the Vigil was generously provided by Melrose High School musicians Clio Moock, Sammy McQuaid and Oren Santillo. Their rendition of “Imagine” was powerful and poignant. A lyrical dance performance “Courage to Change” was beautifully presented by Sylvie Alperen, Ellie Kamosa, Ava Kristan and Naomi Tarantino of Center Stage Dance Studio. Domestic Violence Advocate Mollie Bracken spoke of her work with the Melrose, Malden and Wakefield Police Departments through RESPOND Inc’s Law Enforcement Partnership Program. Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal of Temple Beth Shalom ending the Vigil with a reflection before sending attendees out to walk and enjoy the beautiful October afternoon. 

Thank you to local A Cappella group Blue of a Kind for once again lending their voices for walkers to enjoy along the route and to Raj Das of ED Photography and MMTV for capturing the event on film. Thank you also to LaQchara for providing their food truck so hungry walkers could grab dinner before heading home. 

Finally, MAAV would like to especially recognize the over 110 businesses and individuals who kindly sponsored this event as well as the countless others who donated to the walk. A complete list of our sponsors is found on our website at maav.org and we urge you to support them and thank them for their commitment to keeping our community safe from violence. 

MAAV’s mission is to raise community awareness of domestic and teen dating violence and to promote programs that work to reduce violence and encourage healthy relationships. These programs include community activities, education and prevention in the schools and advocacy services for survivors and family members. For more information, visit maav.org or call 781-662-2010.