The annual Purple Light Nights campaign kicks off with a tree-lighting ceremony Tuesday at Chilliwack City Hall.
The purple bulbs will be illuminating Chilliwack homes for the entire month of October, while strings of lights will be decorating local business storefronts.
"The message is that domestic violence has no place in our community," said Beverly Coles, spokesperson with the Purple Light Nights committee.
Purple Light Nights campaign is a way to visually acknowledge support of survivors of family violence, but also to remember those who lost their lives to it, as well as those still living with abuse.
Every year more people and groups are getting involved in Purple Light Nights. This year organizers put in an order for 800 bulbs for Chilliwack and area, since the number of bulbs they need keeps increasing.
"It is growing, and more people come on board every year, but we're keeping it simple."
The campaign is now active in 23 states across the U.S. and three Canadian provinces, including B.C.
"When someone puts a purple bulb on their front porch or in a window, it can serve to spark a conversation about domestic violence, such as how it impacts our communities and families," said Coles.
The Purple Light Nights started in Covington, Washington in 2007 as a way to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month every October.
"This is our fourth year of holding Purple Light Nights in Chilliwack to help raise awareness about domestic violence," said Coles.
Purple bulbs will be available by donation at: Ann Davis Transition Society offices on Young, Chilliwack Community Services on Wellington, Chilliwack City Hall, as well as several downtown and area businesses.
Go to www.purplelightnights.org or the Facebook page for Chilliwack Purple Light Nights for more details. The tree-lighting is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 outside city hall.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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