Moses Lake Roundup's Purple Night

Editor's note: The below version shows the corrected date of the event, which is Aug. 20

MOSES LAKE — There’s making people aware of the escalating rise in domestic violence across the country and there’s making it go away.

A group of people in Moses Lake are trying to bring those two concepts just a little bit closer to reality. The Moses Lake Roundup and KDRM/KBSN Radio is sponsoring the Man Up Crusade on Saturday night of the rodeo, Aug. 20.

As a show of support for the Man Up Crusade, which is a non-profit organization designed to raise awareness of domestic violence and generate funds in local communities, KDRM/KBSN will give the first 300 people through the gate a purple T-shirt to wear on the final night of the 73rd Moses Lake Roundup. Purple is the color of the Man Up Crusade and organizers hope to make the stands look like a Washington Huskies home game.

“We want to help reduce domestic violence here in Grant County and help promote safe and healthy relationships. To get that message out there and that’s what our radio station is all about,” Bill Ecret with KDRM/KBSN said. “By making people aware, you keep reminding them of the fact that we still have the issue in our area. You give them the choices of we need to do to stop it and be able to provide the tools needed to provide help to the victims. That’s what this campaign is all about.”

The national statistics are more frightening that climbing on the back of a bucking bull. More than one in three women (35.6 percent) and more than one in four men (28.5 percent) in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

The Columbia Basin is not immune to the growing trend, but New Hope Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Crime Victim Services is making an impact in both Grant and Adams counties. Every little bit helps director Carolyn Pence said and if they can raise awareness as well as support funding it’s all good.

“We’re very restricted with our grants that help us to provide the services. This type of fundraising helps us provide those things that we don’t have the funding for,” Pence said. “If someone needs help with car repairs to be able to get to work or be able to pay for the college admissions tests. We want to make a better life for themselves and their families.”

“Awareness is the first thing. Having a big campaign like this puts it out there with a symbol and a slogan.”

The Man Up Crusade was created by Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. Kieran grew up on a cattle ranch in eastern Idaho and learned from an early age the definition of hard work and dedication. His western heritage taught him strong family values and gave him the strength to overcome trials and tribulations.

As Kieran’s career in law enforcement developed, he saw first-hand the traumatic effects that domestic violence has on victims and their families. Domestic violence has become an epidemic in American society and is a public health and safety issue. It is with these facts in mind that Kieran began this journey called the Man Up Crusade.

“In order to make the change, we need to bring the awareness. Being able to have Man Up Night at the rodeo, we have that audience,” Pence said. “Let’s wear that purple in honor of victims and survivors of domestic violence and for those who provide those services. It’s the best message to be able to have that visual impact. It’s a big deal, hopefully over the years we’ll be able to make Purple Night go away.”

That’s the plan, to make Purple Night go away. But for the time being Purple Night at the Moses Lake Roundup Aug. 18-20 can be the voice of Grant County saying, “No more.”

Organizers will be raffling off a trip to Sun Mountain Lodge near Gray’s Harbor to help raise funds to support New Hope.

For more information on Man Up go to www.manupcrusade.com.