Hilltown Community Strong Hike

Join us for this fundraising event! Hilltown Community Strong Walk & Hike to Support Local Domestic Violence Survivors RUSSELL, MA — The Southern Hills Domestic Violence Task Force and the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers are joining forces to bring the community together for the first annual Hilltown Community Strong Walk & Hike on Saturday, October 17, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the AMC Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month. This free, family-friendly event will combine outdoor recreation, community connection, and an opportunity to support local survivors of domestic violence. Donations raised during the event will benefit the Southern Hills Survivor Recovery Fund, which provides assistance to our community survivors as they work toward safety, stability, and recovery. During the Hilltown Community Strong event, participants can choose between two guided hikes designed to include all ages and abilities. Kicking off at 9:30 am with a walk following Noble View’s All Persons Trail. An easy walk along a gravel path winding through the natural landscape for all people, regardless of ability, to participate and enjoy the outdoors together. For those looking for a more advanced adventure, join us at 10:45 am for the Border Trail Hike. This hike covers approximately 4 miles of moderate terrain, and you will experience scenic views, wooden bridges, and a variety of natural trail conditions. The Hilltown Community Strong event will offer more than just walking and hiking. Community organizations will be participating leading various activities and there will be Refreshments, Raffles, and a StoryWalk. “Community support can make all the difference in a survivor’s journey,” said organizers of the event. “Hilltown Community Strong is an opportunity to come together, enjoy the outdoors, and show survivors that they are not alone.” WHAT: Hilltown Community Strong Walk & Hike WHEN: Saturday, October 17, beginning at 9:00 a.m. WHERE: AMC Noble View Outdoor Center, Russell, Massachusetts COST: FREE! ALL PROCEEDS AND DONATIONS will benefit the Southern Hills Survivor Recovery FundParticipants should bring appropriate footwear and water. Trekking poles are recommended for those participating in the Border Trail hike. “Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome,” organizers said, adding to the event’s welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere. For more information about the event, contact the Southern Hills Domestic Violence Task Force or Western Mass Hilltown Hikers by email: [email protected] Come walk. Come hike. Come together. Help make our Hilltown Communities stronger. The Southern Hills Domestic Violence Task Force is the oldest rural domestic violence task force in Massachusetts. It was launched in 1998 after State Police in Russell complained to town officials that there was no local help for survivors and that responding to a domestic violence call could take up to an hour to just arrive on scene. In 2006, the Task Force founded Hilltown Safety at Home, a domestic violence program now run by Hilltown Community Health Centers. The Task Force works with community members, including schools, healthcare providers, police and others to support survivors and educate the community in preventing domestic violence. The Task Force is open to community members and agencies that serve in the Southern Hills communities and meets the 2 Wednesday of the month. For more information contact the Task Force at [email protected] or visit us on Facebook. nd Signs of an unsafe relationship include one person controlling decisions – where you go, what you do, isolates you; Lacks trust and respect – jealousy, possessiveness, putting you down; you are blamed for everything and may fear your partner. If you or someone you know is being mistreated or abused by a partner, you can reach an advocate from Hilltown Safety as Home at 413-693-9977. For immediate help, call the 24/7 state-wide hotline at 1-877-785-2020. The Western Mass Hilltown Hikers connect people with the natural, cultural, and historic landscapes of Western Massachusetts through year?round outdoor recreation and education. For fifteen years, they have hosted monthly public hikes and tours that highlight the region’s most remarkable places, including the National Historic Landmark Keystone Arch Bridges Trail and the annual First Day Hike at Sanderson Brook Falls in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The organization was founded by Karen McTaggart and Liz Massa, and has grown from two hikers exploring local history to a widely recognized leader in outdoor recreation, stewardship, and heritage education. Working closely with DCR, the National Park Service, and local historians to document and protect Western Mass history—serving as the “feet in the woods”.