3rd Annual DV Color Run paints the Rez purple 10-22-16
Joseph V. Sowmick - October 25, 2016
In an effort to provide bonus coverage, Team Observer was on location October 22 as the Nami Migizi Nangwiihgan Domestic Violence Department hosted their 3rd Annual DV “Paint the Rez Purple” Color Run. SCIT Behavioral Health Clinical Therapist Shelby McCliggott and Domestic Violence Support Technician Debra Cicalo served as coordinators for the event.
“As a Domestic Violence team three years ago, we brainstormed ideas as to new events to bring to the community and to incorporate DV awareness. From the great feedback we received from the community after the first year, we decided as a team, that it had to become an annual event,” McCliggott said. “Although the domestic violence department is small at this time, and was not able to commit to as many events this year as in the past, the community outreach to help support and promote domestic violence awareness has been encouraging and much appreciated.”
McCliggott mentions along with “painting the Rez purple”, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College students joined the DV team and community volunteers as they were guest servers at the October 12 Elders Breakfast.
“Marketing Manager Fritz Kuhlman and the Migizi team were generous by reaching out and expressing their interest to assist the DV team in bringing awareness to the cause,” McCliggott said. “Migizi Marketing and the Sagamok Express Mobil created the Purple Gizi card, which they have been selling for one dollar all month long to not only bring awareness but to raise funds for the domestic violence department on their own accord.”
Cicalo informs that Mount Pleasant West Intermediate Middle School reached out through SCIT Youth Empowerment Aide Gail Huber and requested the opportunity to “Paint West Purple.” “We appreciate the opportunity to go directly into the schools to help in bringing awareness to the youth,” Cicalo said. “The ‘Paint West Purple’ effort also began three years ago and we will be going through the school on Thursday October 27 to view their purple decorations done by the Native students and community youth.”
Behavioral Health Administrator David Garcia introduced Tribal Elder Daisy Kostus as she spoke beautiful word on the importance of the event and offered prayed in the presence of her Eagle staff. Behavioral Health Clinical Lead Therapist was at the registration table distributing the popular signature purple sunglasses and “End Domestic Violence” tee shirts.
McCliggott and Cicalo thanks the many supporters that made this year’s DV color run a success: Behavioral Health (for volunteer staff and hosting the event), Behavioral Health Prevention and DJ Lupe, Behavioral Health Residential Treatment Center volunteers, Nimkee Public Health for providing the food, Nimkee Fitness for outlining the course, the United States Naval Sea Cadets volunteers, the SCTC student and faculty volunteers, Seventh Generation for allowing us to use some of their property for the run and the Central Michigan University Sorority Alpha Chi Omega volunteers.