Two Auburn service clubs, the Soroptimist International Club of Auburn and the Kiwanis Noon Club, have “light up City Hall purple” — the color associated with domestic violence— as they join with the Domestic Violence Victims Task Force to provide awareness of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

A ceremony was held at the Auburn City Hall Plaza last week with the lighting of purple lights and ribbons. The ceremony included Mayor Pete Lewis, the Auburn Police Department and a survivor’s story, followed with a prayer led by the City’s Chaplain, Michael Hursh.

The lights were turned on around City Hall Plaza and will remain on during the month of October as a reminder and time to reflect on the responsibilities of communities and citizens to build healthy, thriving families free from the threat of violence.

The Soroptimist International Club of Auburn’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in our community and throughout the world. They actively participate in the Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence, the Auburn Soroptimist club participates in Soroptimist International of the Americas’ major service project, the Women’s Opportunity Awards program—cash grants for women seeking to improve their economic situation through additional training and/or education. Many of these women are domestic abuse survivors.

The Kiwanis Club of Auburn is a service organization that has served Auburn since 1922. Kiwanis, through guidance and example, works to develop future generations of leaders through its service to families and communities. Numerous local non-profit agencies are actively supported with financial and volunteer resources including those that serve domestic abuse victims. Kiwanis is pleased to participate in bringing awareness to this important cause and believe for a change in the lives of residents in the greater Auburn area.