Team Holloman, local community dance for domestic violence awareness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  In the midmorning of Oct. 9, the ballroom of the Community Activity Center was transformed into an all-out dance party: loud music, Latin-inspired moves and people dancing wall to wall. Although the room was filled to the brim with excitement, the participants weren't just dancing for fun. They were dancing for a cause -- to bring awareness to domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year the observance was recognized with a ZUMBAthon® titled "Dance for a Cause: Peace, Love, STOP Domestic Violence," which more than 200 people attended.

The ZUMBAthon® was a marathon of nonstop ZUMBA® -- a fitness program that incorporates Latin rhythms and easy dance moves. Its purpose was to increase prevention awareness while encouraging donations for the local Center of Protective Environment.

"Anytime we can come out and set our booths up to keep our awareness going is good because unfortunately [domestic violence] is still an untalked about subject," said Perry Lawson, COPE Community Education and Outreach director. "It's all about the awareness part and letting people know there are resources out there."

COPE, located in Alamogordo, deals with the problem of domestic violence by providing a safe environment for victims and by taking caring of them during their stay.

"We provide any kind of service that you could think of within the realm of domestic violence," said Mr. Lawson. "Shelter service is just a portion of what we do. While they are in the shelter the victim and their children have to provide nothing. We provide everything for them ... One of our ongoing needs are personal hygiene items."

By the end of the event, the attendees had raised a truckload of these desired items for victims of domestic violence who turn to COPE for help.

The 49th Medical Group Family Advocacy, in collaboration with the 49th Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, presented the idea to incorporate Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a ZUMBAthon® after seeing the high volume of attendance at the weekly Domenici Fitness and Sports Center ZUMBA® classes.

"We came up with this idea probably a year ago," said Rosa Ceballos, 49th MDG Family Advocacy program assistant. "It was a way for us to reach out to the populace that we cater to; we do have male victims, but the majority is female."

Members of COPE and Family Advocacy used informational booths and "silent witnesses" at the CAC to help spread awareness. The silent witnesses were life-sized wooden figures, each one with the name of a woman, man or child whose life ended at the hands of a partner, spouse or acquaintance.

"When you first entered the community center, the first thing you noticed were the cutouts of the victims of domestic violence and I thought they made a very powerful message," said Terra Ponder, 846th Test Squadron and veteran ZUMBA® dancer.

Patrons were also encouraged to wear purple ribbons and bracelets that read "Silence Hides Violence," while dancing to the Latin beats, both as a remembrance to victims of the past and to prevent future incidents of domestic violence.

"I feel like we did a lot to help instead of just listening to people tell us what we already know, which is the negative impact," said Ms. Ponder. "This was a group of people wanting to help and show support with common interests which are prevention, awareness and the thing that brought everyone together -- their love of ZUMBA®."

For more information on domestic violence, contact Family Advocacy at 575-572-7061.

No Federal endorsement intended.