CARDV to "Light The Night' for domestic violence awareness

In 2011, the Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence assisted 1,044 victims of domestic and sexual assault in Callaway County.

Starting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 12 on the MSD track, CARDV officials are asking area residents to walk 1,044 miles in tribute to those individuals as part of their Light The Night awareness event.

Each Light the Night participant is asked to pledge a mile in recognition of one of CARDV's clients. As each mile is completed, the participants will place a single purple bulb on a display board.

"It's part of what we're doing for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month," said Executive Director Lori Blank. "We just felt really strongly we had to do something that would make an impact."

Light The Night also will include live music from Varlet Hearts and from Dave Ahlvin as well as food vendors.

Blank said there already are more than 75 people signed up to participate, and she is hoping to draw many more.

"We really need walkers. We want to get one mile completed for each victim," she said. "We are going to be walking all night until we get that done."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.