October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Faribault Police Department is teaming with the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness through the sale of purple patches.

Purple is the color chosen for Domestic Violence Awareness and Faribault Police officers are wearing purple patches this month to bring attention to the issue. Chamber representative Cassie Steeves told KDHL AM Minnesota listeners today The Faribault Area Chamber was approached by Faribault Police with the idea.

Former Chamber Executive Barb Larson lost her life due to domestic violence and Steeves noted this was, "A great opportunity to honor our friend."

Faribault Chamber Mosaic by Caron Bell in Memory of Barb Larson. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
Faribault Chamber Mosaic by Caron Bell in Memory of Barb Larson. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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The purple patches are being sold at the Chamber office (530 Wilson Avenue) and the Faribault Police Station (25 4th St. NW) for $20 with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the Hope Center in Faribault.

The Hope Center assists victims of domestic violence. Their mission statement is:  "To create zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence through healing, outreach, prevention and education.  Through innovative programming, we offer direct support to victims of violence in Rice County.  Collaborative support to other organizations that serve victims, and educational support to the entire community.

There are a limited number of patches available.

I stopped by the Chamber office to purchase patches today and while there a woman stopped in to purchase also.  She shared the story of growing up in a home where her Father abused her Mother in an era when society looked the other way.

She said, "My siblings and I still have scars from those years."

Just think if every household in Faribault were to purchase just one patch we could raise approximately $170,000.

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