Moses Lake balloon release set to raise awareness

by Chrystal Doucette<br>Herald Staff Writer
| April 16, 2008 9:00 PM

MOSES LAKE - The sky over Sinkiuse Square will be filled with balloons Friday in recognition of sexual assault victims in Grant and Adams counties.

New Hope Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center Program Manager Suzi Fode said the 108 balloons represent the number of sexual assault victims who were served by the center in 2007.

The event begins at 3 p.m. with an open house at the Moses Lake office at 1065 W. Broadway Ave. Visitors can help blow up balloons, Fode said.

At 3:45 p.m., marchers will make their way with the balloons along Broadway Avenue to Sinkiuse Square, where the balloons will be released.

Fode said the release of balloons symbolizes release and healing.

At Sinkiuse Square, there will be vendors, speaker and county commissioner, she said. T-shirts made by victims, through the Clothesline Project, will be on display.

"Come on down to support sexual assault awareness," Fode said. "It is a dark subject. We need to shed light on it."

For more information, call New Hope at 509-764-8402.