Want to show your support for the Melrose Alliance Against Violence? Wear it on your wrist with a beautiful domestic violence awareness bracelet. For the fifth consecutive year, MAAV has produced these bracelets, and is selling them at locations in Melrose in conjunction with the group’s 17th Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil. In addition, MAAV will be raffling off a new iPad and a gift card tree at this year’s walk.

This year’s bracelets were designed by Walk Committee member Jodi Dwyer, who was inspired by a design suggested by a member of a local support group for victims of domestic violence. "MAAV's newest domestic violence awareness bracelet features a beautiful mix of beads in silver and purple, which is the color symbolizing domestic violence awareness," Dwyer says.

Bracelets are $20 each, and one hundred percent of the proceeds support MAAV’s services for victims of domestic violence. They can be purchased at Moderno Salon (406 Main Street), Miter Biter Frame Co. (479 Main Street), and Madison Avenue in Melrose (523 Main Street), or by contacting MAAV at (781) 662-2010 or info@maav.org. MAAV also will be selling the bracelets at Sally Frank's Farmers Market on Thursday, September 27.

In addition, MAAV will be raffling off a new iPad and a gift card tree at this year’s Walk. The new iPad is Apple’s latest model, featuring a Retina display and a 5-megapixel camera. The gift card tree includes more than $240 in gift cards to local and national merchants such as Market Basket, Absolutely Fabulous, D’Amici’s Bakery, and Starbucks. 

Tickets for the iPad raffle are available for $20 each, and only 150 tickets will be sold. Tickets for the gift card tree raffle are $5 each, 3 tickets for $10, or 8 for $20. Tickets for both raffles can be purchased at Coffee, Tea, and Me (421 Main Street), at Sally Frank's Farmers Market on September 27, or by contacting MAAV. Winners will be drawn at MAAV's Annual Walk Against Violence on October 28. You do not have to be present to win.

MAAV’s 17th Annual Walk Against Violence and Candlelight Vigil will be held on Sunday, October 28th at 4:00 p.m. at the Melrose Veteran’s Memorial Middle School. Diane Patrick, First Lady of Massachusetts, will attend the Vigil, where she will be presented with MAAV’s 2nd Annual “Advocacy in Action Award” for her outstanding leadership and commitment to ending domestic violence. Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone will serve as Honorary Chairperson of the event.

The event serves as MAAV’s largest annual fundraiser, and the money raised is 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.
 
Should you wish to participate in the Walk, please contact Rebecca Mooney at 781-662-2010 for more information. To learn more about MAAV, please visit www.maav.org.