Written an Submitted by Stephanie Baker, Associate Director, Outer Banks Hotline
On Saturday, April 29 from 11a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Outer Banks Hotline will host its “100 for Hope Ribbon on the Ridge” event at Jockey’s Ridge State Park to honor survivors and commemorate victims of sexual assault. This event will be the culmination of Hotline’s month-long sexual assault awareness campaign, “Community for Hope.”
100 for Hope Ribbon on the Ridge is a free event, open to the public. Participants will register and gather in the main parking lot of Jockey’s Ridge State Park at 11 a.m. and make their way up the giant dune at 11:30 carrying a 50-yard long teal ribbon. A short ceremony will be held atop the ridge. Upon returning to base, BBQ lunch from Pigman’s BBQ will be provided in the parking lot area at no cost for all registered 100 for Hope teams who raised $100 for the campaign. Lunch will be available for those who did not register and raise the goal amount for a suggested donation of $5.00 per person. Local band, ‘The Ramble’ will also be performing live music in the parking lot following the ceremony. The event will be held rain or shine, with the exception of hazardous or extreme weather (updates will be given via Hotline’s Facebook and Instagram pages).
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Every 68 seconds a person is sexually assaulted in the United States and the Outer Banks is not immune to this type of violence. In an effort to bring the issues of safe relationships, interpersonal violence and sexual assault to light in Dare County, Outer Banks Hotline has developed its inaugural awareness campaign: “Community for Hope.” Outer Banks Hotline is a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization and is Dare County’s only crisis intervention and prevention agency for domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. Outer Banks Hotline works with the local police departments and the Sheriff’s Office to assist survivors
Kellogg Supply Company/The Cottage Shop and Outer Banks Blue are the lead sponsors (Empowerment Sponsors) of the Community for Hope campaign. The campaign is also supported by Healing Sponsors: Outer Banks Health, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Surf Pediatrics & Medicine; and Hope Sponsors: Carolina Designs Realty, Sun Realty and TowneBank. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and teams are strongly encouraged.
For more information regarding the Community for Hope campaign or 100 for Hope Ribbon on the Ridge, sexual assault or general information about Outer Banks Hotline, contact Stephanie at Outer Banks Hotline: 252-473-5121 or via email at stephanie@obhotline.org.