Annual Event to Benefit Personal Development Center
The 2nd Annual Breaking Through Silence on our Block party will be held on Saturday, June 24th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Benefiting the Personal Development Center (PDC) in Marshfield, the event will be located at the PDC facility on Second and Walnut. Featured entertainment will include live music, a silent auction and raffle, bingo, children’s activities and be highlighted with a Guys and their Grills competition.
The PDC block party was created last year by the Leadership Marshfield Program. Kristina Howey advocated for abuse victims after experiencing trauma in her past. Breaking Through Silence is an opportunity to show community support for domestic abuse victims by promoting healthy relationships while raising money for PDC.
Even with a serious message, this will be a day filled with fun and laughter.
“People can expect a fun, family experience. We want to create a welcoming feeling to the community and assure they know where they can go if they should find them in a situation where they may need help,” said Howey.
As part of the day’s festivities, KLM Entertainment will be providing live music, Hub City Ice Cream will be serving up delicious flavors and visitors can try their luck with Bingo. There will be silent auction items to bid on as well as a raffle. For the kids, there will be a bouncy house, games, face painting and a fire truck. A food both will be open for those interested in tailgate style fare.
New to the event this year will be a clothesline project for individuals wishing to make a statement. T-shirts, paint and markers will be available to those that want to express the trauma they have endured in their lives.
Said Howey, “We want to empower those who would like to use their voice and also share with the community the effects of this silent virus that can forever change a life.”
The highlight of the day will be the Guys and their Grills competition. Tickets can be purchased for taste testing which occurs at 1:00 pm and the winner is awarded with a traveling trophy. Those placing 1st – 3rd are also awarded an apron.
“The primary purpose of this segment of the block party is not only to create awareness of the services that PDC provides to our community, but to display what healthy looks like. That is where the guys come into play,” said Howey. “We know the offender is not always male, though statistically makes are more likely to be the offender. This specific event brings to life what healthy looks like and I am hoping to continue to share that visual with those who may be amongst the crowd that are enduring abuse at home and/or someone they know.”
Capping off the afternoon will be a speaker at 2:30. Howey said that this year will recognize a pivotal advocate of the PDC history.
“I encourage people to attend because it is a way to bring our community together and show support to those who have endured violence, are enduring violence, or where to go if they ever find themselves in a violent situation,” she said. “We never know if we are working with or walking alongside someone who may be struggling with darkness in their life. Without doing much other than showing up, the message of strength can be set. All proceeds from the event do go to help victims in need.”
