Published in the September 25, 2015 edition

MELROSE — The Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) is once again selling Domestic Violence Awareness bracelets.

This year’s bracelets were designed by Melrose resident Kate Rowlands, winner of MAAV’s first-ever bracelet design contest. The contest was held to celebrate MAAV’s 20th anniversary.

The bracelets are made of Swarovski crystal beads in various shades of purple. Rowlands said the colors were chosen to highlight MAAV’s goal of ending domestic violence.

“My design represents the goal to eradicate domestic violence by the color purple fading to clear,” said Rowlands.

“We unveiled the new bracelets at the Victorian Fair and had a great response,” added MAAV Executive Director Rebecca Mooney. “People thought they were beautiful and were happy to add this year to their collections. We’ve already received requests to mail the bracelets to folks out of our area.”

The bracelets, which cost $20 each, are now available at locations throughout the city. The bracelets are being sold at Avenue Hair Designs (53 W. Wyoming Ave.); Hair Studio Six (526 Franklin St.); Moderno Salon (406 Main St.); Miter Biter Frame Co. (479 Main St.); and Madison Avenue in Melrose (523 Main St.). Residents can also purchase a bracelet by contacting MAAV at 781-662-2010 or info@maav.org.

MAAV’s 20th annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. The event begins with a candlelight vigil to honor victims of domestic violence homicide and concludes with a two-mile walk around Ell Pond and through Melrose. To mark MAAV’s 20th anniversary, the Walk and Vigil will be held at Memorial Hall, 590 Main St. in Melrose, the site of MAAV’s first-ever Candlelight Vigil. If residents would like to learn more about participating in this year’s Walk, e-mail info@maav.org.