Maple Grove Vigil Honors Domestic Violence Victims
October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in Minnesota. The governor’s office officially recognized the month on Thursday and presented a certificate to the founders of Maria’s Voice.
Maria’s Voice is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing domestic abuse through partnerships and programs. It’s named after Maria Pew, a Maple Grove woman who died from domestic violence. Her parents, Bill Pew and Lissa Weimelt, co-founded the nonprofit in her honor.
Maria’s parents receive the proclamation in writing.
Maple Grove Tribute
Thursday’s community tribute in Maple Grove honored the lives taken by domestic violence in Minnesota. Weimelt said she hopes people take it as an opportunity to learn and educate one another.
“We’re here to honor them and to really hope that we instill in them tonight the belief that domestic violence can be prevented through our own actions with people in our lives,” Weimelt said.
Weimelt said talking about it is the best way to help people recognize abusive behaviors.
Members from the Maple Grove Police Department are wearing patches to commemorate the month. People can buy their own at the police department for $10. Maple Grove police Sgt. Matt Bost said the department gets many domestic violence calls every year.
“It’s an important issue that I think we need to bring awareness to,” Bost said. “So that we can have support and we can have efforts for prevention. And we can reach out to victims and have justice for them, as well as hold offenders accountable.”
Weimelt said 24 more names were added to the vigil since last year.
Limited-edition purple patches can be purchased at the Maple Grove Police Department for $10 in October. All proceeds go to Maria’s Voice.
