Abbotsford and Mission participate in the 13th annual Purple Lights Nights campaign in October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The campaign encourages residents to shine purple lights outside their homes throughout the month as a sign of unity and support against domestic violence.
Local businesses are also urged to participate.
The Abbotsford/Mission Violence Against Women in Relationships committee launches the campaign on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at the Abbotsford Farm and Country Market at Jubilee Park.
Also that day, Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Studio in Mission (7871 Stave St.) holds a free Purple Lights Nights yoga session, starting with sign-in from 5 to 5:15 p.m.
The Vinyasa yoga class runs from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. and will be followed by refreshments.
The Purple Nights Light committee will also be on hand at other events throughout October, including:
• Oct. 6 – FitTherapy Mission at Mission Friendship Centre from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.;
• Oct. 8 to 12 – Week of Welness at University of the Fraser Valley (details to be announced);
• Oct. 9 – the Crime is Toast breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre in Abbotsford;
• Oct. 12, 19 and 26 – Abbotsford Farmers' Market from 9 a.m. to noon at Jubilee Park;
• Oct. 19 – Mission City Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Park;
• Oct. 25 – Abbotsford Canucks' season opener at 7 p.m. at Abbotsford Centre; and
• Oct. 26 – the Mission Purple Lights Nights Community Walk from 10 a.m. to noon, starting at 33070 Fifth Ave.
Purple Lights Nights originated in Covington, Wash. in 2006 as a way to “shine a light” on the issue of domestic violence, using the symbolic colour of purple.
The campaign has since spread across North America, with more than 30 US states and four Canadian provinces taking part.
More details about the local campaign can be found on Facebook (“Purple Lights Nights Abbotsford & Fraser Valley”) and Instagram (@purplelightsnightsfraservalley).
