By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Options will host its second-annual Purple Light Night at Big Creek Crossing.
The location has been changed to the mall due to inclement weather.
The free event will serve as a family activity night as well as an attempt to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence.
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services provides personal, medical, court, law enforcement, youth/child and parent/child advocacy, as well as crisis intervention, a safe shelter, counseling, support groups, community education and a 24-hour Helpline.
Nationally, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple is the color for domestic violence awareness.
Grand Rental Station, Be Made, Taco Shop, PoPt, Breathe Coffee House and McDonald’s have all agreed to be sponsors for the event. The Press will be providing cinnamon rolls and chili for the first 75 people, Trinity Lutheran will provide a game and the Hays Area Children’s Center will have a ball pit for the kids.
Scentsy representative Amanda Long will be present, and a portion of her proceeds will go to Options. There also will be face painting and children’s tattoos, as well as a game for adults.
The chief of police, sheriff and mayor will all speak at the event. For more information on the event, contact Ashley Hecker at Options at (785) 625-4202.
Options’ 24-hour hotline is (800) 794-4624. No appointment is needed to seek Options’ services.
Options is also encouraging people to place purple light bulbs in their outdoor to light up the night for domestic violence during the month of October. The bulbs are available through Options for $2 each.
The program seeks to do three things: support survivors of domestic violence, give hope to people who are still living with abuse and remember victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.
Options has seen a 174 percent increase in domestic violence services in the last year, because in part of a greater awareness of services and the signs of domestic violence, Option officials said.