JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Joint Base Andrews Family Advocacy office began Domestic Violence Awareness Month with an autumn themed family event in the Community Activity Center on Oct. 1.
The Pumpkin Bash offered free food, games, crafts, a pumpkin pie eating contest and the featured event, pumpkin smashing. They also had a live DJ and special guests "The Queens of Sheba" motorcycle club of Washington and Pablo the Polar Bear from the Laugh Out Loud station Waldorf, Md.
"Family togetherness is what events like this are all about," said Brenda Smith, 779th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy nurse and new parent support. "Not only does it raise awareness, but it provides an opportunity for families to have fun."
The purpose of the pumpkin bash was to add levity to a serious issue, to show there are positive ways to release frustrations in ways that don't hurt people physically or emotionally.
"Educating Team Andrews on domestic violence awareness is very important," said Joyce Craven, 779th MDOS outreach manager. "Domestic violence affects us all, even if it is not happening in our immediate family. If a service member is being abused it, can affect them emotionally and physically, if not mortally."
Throughout the event, attendees were given an opportunity to read nationwide facts and statistics concerning domestic abuse.
"We would love to report that we don't have any concerns or problems like this here, but the fact is Joint Base Andrews has domestic violence," said Lt. Col. Teresa Roberts, 779th Medical Support Squadron Family Advocacy officer. "While every year we try to educate and prevent it, domestic violence continues to be a negative behavior we try to hide as a society. Even our reported numbers are lower the total number of incidents."
This month the Family Advocacy office is scheduled to host several awareness raising events here to include a Renewal of Marriage Vow Ceremony on Oct. 14 and a 'March on Domestic Violence' on Oct. 27.
For a full calendar of this month's events, or to speak with a Family Advocacy representative call (240) 857-9680.