Published in the October 9, 2015 edition
MELROSE — The Melrose Alliance Against Violence has announced the members of the Honorary Host Committee for the 20th Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil.
This Committee includes local, state and national officials lending their name in support, bringing recognition to the event and MAAV’s mission to end domestic violence.
Members of the 20th Annual Walk & Candlelight Vigil Honorary Host Committee include: Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito; U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren; U.S. Senator Edward Markey; U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Clark; State Representative Paul Brodeur; State Senator Jason Lewis and Former District Attorney Gerry Leone.
The committee also includes Melrose Chief of Police Mike Lyle; Former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger; Attorney General Maura Healey; Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian; Former First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick; Former Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly; Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan; State Senator Thomas McGee; Superintendent of Schools Cyndy Taymore; Alan MacDonald, president and CEO of Hallmark Health System and Secretary Daniel Bennett, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan will serve as the Honorary Chairperson of the event.
“Through outreach and education and by forging partnerships with the school district and police department, the Melrose Alliance Against Violence developed one of the earliest models of a localized response to domestic violence in Middlesex County. I am proud to join with so many others as a member of the 20th Anniversary Honorary Host Committee,” said Marian T. Ryan, Middlesex District Attorney
“Melrose Alliance Against Violence provides an excellent example of the impact a grassroots organization can have in their community. I am honored to serve on the host committee for MAAV as they celebrate the 20th Walk and Vigil,” says State Representative Paul Brodeur.
MAAV’s 20th annual Walk and Vigil will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18, beginning at 4 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Melrose. It will begin with a Candlelight Vigil to honor victims of domestic violence homicide, followed by a two-mile walk around Ell Pond. Community members are welcome to participate in the Walk by forming teams, serving as sponsors or making individual contributions.
This year’s walk will be followed by a post-walk celebration back at Memorial Hall.
The event serves as MAAV’s largest annual fundraiser, with last year’s walk raising more than $40,000. Donations are used to fund prevention and intervention initiatives throughout the community and in the Melrose Public Schools. MAAV’s programs seek to curb bullying, teen dating abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.
For more information about the walk or MAAV, call 781-662-2010 or e-mail info@maav.org.
