In October, Sampson County will stand up to domestic violence through a vigil and high-heel march through downtown.

U Care, Inc. is hosting its annual Domestic Violence Vigil at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9 at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, 201 Fayetteville St., Clinton. The purpose of the event is to honor victims, survivors and to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Leigh Ann Hardee, a victim’s advocate for U Care, is looking forward to the event, which will include participation from the Clinton Police Department and the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’ve been here for two years and I’ve seen countless people move from one position in life to a better position,” Hardee said regarding services provided by the organization, based in Downtown Clinton.

Following the vigil, everyone is invited to participate in the “Walk In Her Shoes” by wearing high heels. Organizers are encouraging men to participate in the new portion of ceremony. The walk will begin at the church and continue through downtown. Through the event, U Care hopes everyone takes a pledge to never commit, condone or be quiet about domestic violence and sexual assault.

U Care opened opened it emergency shelter program in 1997 and later added intervention programs to help dealing with domestic violence situations. Some of the assistance includes a 24-hour crisis line, treatment programs, crisis intervention, support groups and help for victims of sexual assault.

According to recent reports, the organization uses $350,000 to help domestic violence victims. In addition to donations and grants, U Care host events such as its Reverse Drawing, which uses a backwards bingo format for prizes.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, U Care officials are encouraging will place purple ribbons on participating businesses in Sampson County. The month-long observance came from the “Day of Unity,” held in October of 1981. It later developed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 1987. A few years later, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating October as the month for the observance.

For more information, contact U Care at 910-596-0931 or by email at [email protected]

UNC Apples from Chapel Hill participate in a vigil for domestic violence victims in downtown Clinton.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_UNC-Apples-from-Chapel-Hill-N.C.-2.jpgUNC Apples from Chapel Hill participate in a vigil for domestic violence victims in downtown Clinton.
Annual Domestic Violence Vigil set for Oct. 9

By Chase Jordan

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