On the left, the front of the “Purple Mile Walk” T-shirts being sold now to benefit Safeplace can be seen in this photo of Safeplace Director Sandra Ells. Right, Safeplace Victim Advocate Avery Williams holds up one of the shirts showing the back screenprint. Please see the ad on this page and order your T-shirt now to wear at the event.
HAMILTON — The inaugural “Purple Mile Walk” in Hamilton will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, beginning at 9 a.m., and starting at the Marion County Courthouse.
Survivors of domestic violence, supporters of victims and anyone interested in helping to raise awareness are invited to gather for the walk.
“The ‘Purple Mile Walk’ is a community gathering to honor victims and celebrate survivors of domestic violence,” said Safeplace Victim Advocate Avery Williams.
“We’ll walk together in solidarity, share resources and hold space for healing and hope. T-shirts are now available for purchase through preorder, and we’ll have a few available during the event.”
Officials request that you order your T-shirts now, so they can be sent to you ahead of time to wear to the event. Please see the advertisement on this page paid for by the Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force to help promote this event.
Task force co-chair Kim Lolley said all the money from the T-shirts goes to Safeplace. There are QR codes on the ad to order the shirts and pay for them.
“The ‘Purple Mile Walk’ is a new thing Safeplace is doing to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence,” Lolley said. “This is the first time Safeplace has held a walk like this around the courthouse
“We used to have Walk a Mile for a Child for children exposed to domestic violence, abuse or neglect--and those types of things. This ‘Purple Mile Walk’ is very similar to that. Safeplace is just trying to reach out in a different way and bring attention to domestic violence in a different light.
“They are doing these walks throughout October on Fridays in all the counties served by Safeplace, which include Marion, Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale counties.
“The Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force will be participating on Oct. 17 in the walk starting at our county courthouse.”
Walk route
The walk will begin at the courthouse, near the rear entrance and exit location on First Street Southwest. Walkers will head toward Hamilton High School and then turn left on Fourth Avenue Southwest. When they reach Military Street South, they’ll turn right and then circle that entire block containing the schools, the walking track, the fire department and back around to the high school. (Right on Highway 17, right on Sixth Street Southwest/Alabama National Guard Road and right again on Fourth Avenue Southwest) Walkers will then turn left back onto First Street Southwest and return to the courthouse.
Contact information
For more information on “The Purple Mile,” contact Safeplace Outreach Program Manager Kim Smith at 256-460-6832.
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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