To the Editor:
This fall, thousands of small bright purple ribbons lined the walls of local SavOn convenience and Maple Leaf Market stores in Madison and Oneida counties. These paper ribbons symbolized a spirit of support and awareness during October Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
On behalf of our agencies and the many survivors we serve in Central New York, we would like to thank the community, the Oneida Indian Nation and SavOn/Maple Leaf Market employees for participation in the third annual 2018 Purple Ribbon campaign! This show of support is amazing and humbles us as we serve some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals and families.
The year 2018 marks the third annual sale of the ribbons, and sales nearly doubled! Thanks to our partners’ invaluable time and effort, $7,339.00 was raised. All proceeds benefit the local domestic violence programs offered by both agencies: YWCA Mohawk Valley and Liberty Resources Help Restore Hope Center. These life-changing, life-saving services help those right here in our communities and are vital to ending the cycle of domestic violence.
Domestic violence services from these agencies are available by county area and are free and confidential. For information on YWCA Mohawk Valley which serves Oneida County, call the 24-hour hotline 315-797-7740. For information on Liberty Resources Help Restore Hope Center, which serves Madison and Chenango counties, call their 24-hour hotline 1-855-966-9723.
We sincerely thank all of the participants for their belief in our work, their generosity, and commitment. Now more than ever, we must come together to promote peace in our communities.
Dianne Stancato, YWCA Mohawk Valley Chief Executive Officer and Sara Haag, MSW, Divisional Director, Liberty Resources Help Restore Hope Center