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People Against Domestice Violence Sponsor Cold Spring 'Break the Silence' Rally
"Break the Silence - Stop the Violence" was the theme for the second annual rally against Domestic Violence sponsored by People Against Domestic Violence (PADV). The day- long event held on Saturday, June 2 in Cold Spring began with an "Awareness Walk" through the villages of Nelsonville and Cold Spring. Though the weather was extremely hot and humid, the walkers persevered through the 5-mile course as they not only raised onlookers' awareness to their cause but also raised funds to support the cause.
The second planned event of the day was the "Break the Silence March" down Main Street. After gathering on the lawn of St. Mary's Church, the group began a procession down Main Street led by members of the Cold Spring Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff's Department and the Knights of Columbus. The Cold Spring Fire Company Pipe and Drums contributed the stirring sound of the bagpipes and the solemn beat of the drums to accompany participants in the procession. Behind the Pipe and Drum Band, a red and white banner was carried which read "People Against Domestic Violence - Help Change the Future for Our Children." With each step and with every beat of the drum, as the number of participants grew, with observers joining in, there was an undeniable feeling that changing the future to eliminate Domestic Violence from our Community really was possible.
The "March" culminated at the gazebo where numerous red, wooden, life-sized "Silent Witnesses" were once again poised on the Cold Spring Dock. Each figure bore a plaque with the name of a woman who once lived, worked, had neighbors, friends, family, and children. These plaques told the tragic story of how her life ended violently at the hands of a current or former husband or intimate partner. Also displayed on the Dock was the North Salem High School art project "Art Against Abuse." These wonderful pieces of art passionately displayed each student's insight into relationship violence.
Speakers for the event included Michael McDonough, founder of Knights Against Domestic Violence (KADV), Senator Vincent Leibell, and U.S. Congressman John Hall. Several local high school students also read vignettes representing true stories of victims of Domestic Violence right here in Putnam County. The guest speaker for the afternoon was Patricia Butler, the mother of Elizabeth Butler (the North Salem High School student who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend). Ms. Butler's words were extremely poignant as she shared her own experience and as she incited parents to sit down with their children and discuss what is acceptable dating behavior and what is not.
People Against Domestic Violence would like to thank the chairwoman for the event, Faye Thorpe, and all our volunteers for their hard work in putting together this rally and all supporters who donated time and money, and who walked and/or marched on this day. Special thanks to the Cold Spring Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, the Philipstown Ambulance Corp., the Knights of Columbus, the Cold Spring Pipe and Drums, the Putnam/ Westchester Women's Resource Center, the Rockland Family Shelter and the Junior League of Northern Westchester. Also special thanks to Jaynie Crimmins for providing the "Art Against Abuse" project and Adam Handler (Applied Graphics) for the banners and t-shirts. The day's events raised the sum of $ 1,403.00 in donations with proceeds to be used to support the Putnam County Shelter for battered women and their children and to run educational programs to raise awareness, as well as contributing to the Elizabeth G. Butler Angel Fund Committee
PADV is hoping to continue to strengthen its involvement in Philipstown and welcomes any one interested in participating in any way or any one who wishes to make a donation to contact PADV through Co-Chairs, Makaria Gallagher (945) 225-4225 or Margaret Nicholson (914) 302-6248.
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