Local businesses support the cause This year's 2012 campaign to paint New Canaan purple during October has been full of life and new ideas. In previous years you may recall purple ribbons, articles on the front page of the Advertiser and our annual proclamation. Perhaps you've heard about a butterfly release in Darien, speakers in Stamford and more?
This year the New Canaan Domestic Violence partnership is proud to say that some local businesses have stepped up to help with the cause. As new additions to offerings this year the New Canaan YMCA, Station Services, Subway of New Canaan and Garelick and Herbs have all promoted the cause in their own way.
Station Services LLC, the coffee shop at the NC train station supported domestic violence awareness efforts by letting the NC DV partnership take over the shop on Tuesday morning. Volunteers handed out bracelets and gave out free coffee to all commuters. Students labeled 300 coffee cups and water bottles to make sure commuters will continue to see the message later on into the month. Coffee was paid for by a generous donation from local businessman Robert Doran, who is also a founding member of the NCDVP.
The New Canaan YMCA set up a donation box in their main lobby to support the local DVCC domestic violence women's shelter. Items on the shelter wishlist include: basic pots and pans, sleeping pillows, tooth brushes and small sample size toiletries, light colored bath towels and twin size sheets. With great foot traffic and lots of eyes seeing their signage, we know that the Y will get some needed information out to their members/town residents who need to know they are not alone, and that there is help available. They have done some easy changes to their everyday workings like; decorating their art display area with the color purple and also have injected a "purple" peer conflict resolution activity into their children's programming.
Subway of New Canaan has commited to donating a percentage of this month's proceeds to the Domestic Violence Crisis Center for anyone mentioning "DV" or the purple campaign during October. Subway also has free bracelets and pens available on their counter for customers to take with them to continue sharing the message. Customers can support the effort again and agin all month long!
Garelick and Herb is baking to support the cause this year. They decorated and donated 100 purple heart cookies that were used at NCHS "Purple Fridays" 10/12. Students flocked to the dating violence information table at lunches for cookies, and left with the tasty treats along with purple bracelets and some information about dmoestic and dating violence. A student proclaimed the cookies as, "Awesome!!"
These are some great ways that local businesses are supporting awareness about domestic violence and where adults, teens and children can get help. So I urge you to please stop in these businesses and let them know you appreciate their efforts toward keeping our residents safe. And if you have a favorite shop, perhaps you can stop to ask them to help support the cause by turning something in the store "purple."
For those in need of information about the NCDVP can call 203-594-3076, or go to loveisrespect.org or call the National DV hotline for help 1-800-799-SAFE.
