MEMBERS OF MAAV’s 2024 Walk Committee at a recent meeting
MELROSE — Please join us for MAAV’s 29th Annual Candlelight Vigil and Walk to End Domestic Violence. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, October 6 at 4 p.m. at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School.
The Candlelight Vigil begins in the middle school auditorium with the reading of the names of all domestic violence homicide victims in Massachusetts since our previous Walk followed by song and reflection before heading out on a two mile walk around the Melrose community. The event draws nearly 700 community members, families, sports teams and religious and civic groups. And new this year, the LaQchara Food Truck will be onsite for anyone who wants to grab some dinner before heading home.We are excited to have them join us. Stop by our booth at the Victorian Fair this Sunday to learn more about MAAV, how to get involved with the Walk and to enter in our raffle for a night’s stay and dinner for two at Encore.
The Walk and Vigil has been a long-standing community tradition in Melrose and is MAAV’s largest annual fundraiser and awareness event. Last year’s Walk was an outpouring of support, raising essential funds for the programs we offer both in the schools and the community as well as for our survivor support services.
This event raises awareness about domestic violence, honors abuse victims and brings the community together to renew its commitment to preventing further violence. Registration for the Walk is now open on maav.org and community members are invited to participate as individual walkers or by forming a team.
We could not bring our violence prevention work or survivor support services to the community without the generosity of our event sponsors. Much more support is needed and we invite you to consider joining this wonderful list of allies taking a stand against domestic violence. Both corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels and complete information can be found at maav.org. Deadline for inclusion on the t-shirt and other materials is Friday, September 13.
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.
