"Stop the Violence" Brings People Together in Abilene
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: August 28, 2011
People all over the Big Country came together at the Abilene Civic Center in an effort to spread awareness about violence
Victims of violent crimes were in attendance to tell their stories and join one another in the fight to end violence.
Food, music and speakers brought people together all in the name of a good cause.
While today was full of fun events, it hasn't always been happy times for victims of violence.
Just six-years-ago Geana McLenden's life changed in a way that she never imagined.
"In 2005 I was involved in a domestic dispute," says McLenden. "My ex-boyfriend poured gasoline on me, and caught me on fire in front of my six-year-old."
At the time of the event, she didn't know if she would make it out alive. Now that she has, she vowed to take a stand against violence.
"Through the recovery and Mission Abilene, they helped me through the situation. When the organization started four-years-ago, they asked me to join the team and step up."
Through Mission Abilene she learned that she is not alone, and that's why she feels it is her duty to be a voice in the campaign and help others who may be headed down the same road she was on.
"It has helped me through the process. It helped me open up more about what happened to me. It's helped me reach several young girls that may have been or are going through a bad relationship right now."
McLenden was joined by other supporters at the event as well.
Charity Lee, a mother whose son murdered her daughter in 2007, was also in attendance. After declining to attend the event for the past three years, Lee decided this was the year she needed to speak out to help others.
"This year with a little divine intervention, the timing was right, and i just hope to show people that you can look horror in the face and thrive," says Lee.
Both women have been very active in the fight for non-violence and hope that by sharing their stories, they can save lives.
"You know if I can help one person through something that I've been through, I feel like I have done my part," says McLenden.
Victims of violent crimes were in attendance to tell their stories and join one another in the fight to end violence.
Food, music and speakers brought people together all in the name of a good cause.
While today was full of fun events, it hasn't always been happy times for victims of violence.
Just six-years-ago Geana McLenden's life changed in a way that she never imagined.
"In 2005 I was involved in a domestic dispute," says McLenden. "My ex-boyfriend poured gasoline on me, and caught me on fire in front of my six-year-old."
At the time of the event, she didn't know if she would make it out alive. Now that she has, she vowed to take a stand against violence.
"Through the recovery and Mission Abilene, they helped me through the situation. When the organization started four-years-ago, they asked me to join the team and step up."
Through Mission Abilene she learned that she is not alone, and that's why she feels it is her duty to be a voice in the campaign and help others who may be headed down the same road she was on.
"It has helped me through the process. It helped me open up more about what happened to me. It's helped me reach several young girls that may have been or are going through a bad relationship right now."
McLenden was joined by other supporters at the event as well.
Charity Lee, a mother whose son murdered her daughter in 2007, was also in attendance. After declining to attend the event for the past three years, Lee decided this was the year she needed to speak out to help others.
"This year with a little divine intervention, the timing was right, and i just hope to show people that you can look horror in the face and thrive," says Lee.
Both women have been very active in the fight for non-violence and hope that by sharing their stories, they can save lives.
"You know if I can help one person through something that I've been through, I feel like I have done my part," says McLenden.
Comments
There's too much trash here in Abilene these days. Can say since Katrina.
Dona D.
August 28, 2011 at 10:34 am
