News

Youth step up for Walk Against Violence


Published: October 13, 2009

NEWBURYPORT — For six years, 14-year-old Tucker Quinlan of Newbury has been helping his parents, Francee and Michael, and his sister, Madison, 12, host the Children's Tent activities during the annual Walk Against Violence to benefit the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center.

This year, he decided to get more involved and recruited his friends to be part of a team of walkers to raise money on Sunday for the nonprofit organization, which provides services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence.

Tucker invited his 50 classmates at Brookwood School in Manchester-by-the-Sea and 25 friends from the Newburyport area to join his team. So far 15 have committed.

"I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in a family and be witness to beatings and rude language," Tucker said. "Violence just isn't right and it isn't a great environment for a child to grow up in. This event really will kick off even more awareness of domestic violence with my friends and raise money for more resources at the Center."

The event is all part of an effort by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center to connect with families and encourage healthy, safe and peaceful relationships for boys and girls in the community.

This year, as in the past, the Crisis Center will offer a Children's Tent with fun, age-appropriate activities that stress nonviolence for children, but has expanded its offerings to include a Halloween costume contest for children younger than 12 with a gift certificate to a local business for the best nonviolent costume.

"It starts in the home and teaching your kids is crucial to making sure domestic violence doesn't happen," said Tucker's mother, who first got involved as a volunteer with the Crisis Center 10 years ago. "For our kids, they've known this all their lives. It's an important piece for them and bringing the kids into the walk is critical for having parents and children understand domestic violence. It's such a nice family gathering. We don't often get to do something at the Center to involve the whole family. And that's important because not a lot of the work we do is fun."

Children's Tent activities include the nonviolent Halloween costume contest, a Bouncy House, pumpkin painting and an art contest in which children draw posters reflecting "What Peace Means to Me."

Last year's winner was Lucy Purinton, an eighth-grade student from Newburyport, who is also a classmate of Tucker's at Brookwood School. Her artwork was reproduced as a button that is distributed at the Walk/Run to participants. She is joining Tucker's team as a walker and is raising money for the Crisis Center.

"We want to get more young people involved, including boys, and Tucker is helping us do that," said Suzanne Dubus, executive director of the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center.

Walk/Run participants are encouraged to register online and track pledges on a personalized fundraising page. Friends, family, co-workers and neighbors can also pledge online easily, as well.

The Walk/Run begins on Oct. 18 with registration at 11 a.m. at the Bartlet Mall, at the corner of Pond and High streets in Newburyport.

Welcome and warm-up begins at 12:15 p.m., runners start at 12:45 p.m. and walkers at 12:50 p.m. For walkers, there is a suggested $30 donation; for adult runners, there is a $20 pre-registration fee (day of event registration is $30); for students ages 12-17, runner pre-registration fee is $10 (day of the event is $15). Children under 12 register free. Register at www.jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org.

Last year was the first time the event expanded beyond a walk event to include Dorothy's Run, a 5K, 3.1-mile course and timed event that honors the memory of Dorothy Giunta-Cotter, mother of two young daughters and cheerleading coach who was shot and killed in a murder/suicide by her estranged husband in her Amesbury home in March 2002. Prizes are awarded for $125, $500, $1,000 and $2,000 pledge levels. The Lead Sponsor for the event is the Institution for Savings and the Media Sponsors are The Daily News and WNBP radio station. This year, Judi Lyons is chairing the Walk for the sixth time and Heather Davies and Sherry Cobb are co-chairing Dorothy's Run 5K. Margaret Riha and Karen Morrissey are Team Liaisons, who help coordinate team leaders and their team members. Honorary Chairs are Don Beaulieu, selectman, Salisbury; Mayor Thatcher Kezer, Amesbury; Mayor John Moak, Newburyport; and Glenn Kemper, selectman, West Newbury. Entertainment that day is provided for by the Thomas Machine Works Band. The Walk/Run is a major fundraiser for the Crisis Center and the proceeds are used to support programs, ranging from the 24-hour hot line to victim advocates to children support groups.