Campbell honored

Photo: A.M. Sheehan

AWARDED — Michelle Campbell, center, accepts the Paint the County Purple plaque from Norway Chief of Police Rob Federico, a member of the Oxford County Domestic Violence Task Force as task Force member Dennis Gray of the United Way looks on. The purple pumpkin is part of the makeover of the facade of Campbell's business – Hair Plus on Paris Street in Norway – which turned the entire front of the building purple for the month of October.

NORWAY — The Oxford County Domestic Violence Task Force sponsors the "Paint the County Purple" contest in the Oxford Hills and River Valley areas each October as part of Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Participating businesses and/or individuals are judged by a team of students. In the Oxford Hills, they are members of OHCHS Respect Team.

This is the second year plaques have been awarded. This year's winners were: River Valley – Marden's and Oxford Hills – Hair Plus.

"You never know," said Michelle Campbell, owner of Hair Plus, "with as many clients as we have ... who is affected by it [domestic violence]."

"There is so much focus during the month [October] on breast cancer ... we need more domestic violence awareness."

The Task Force hopes to continue to grow participation in this contest as well as other activities conducted during the month.

This year, there was an Awareness Walk held at Hosmer Field in Rumford, Vigils held at Moore Park and Dixfield Gazebo, Wear Purple Day (Oct. 17), and participation from high school football teams in Rumford and Oxford Hills wearing purple stickers on their helmets, etc. during mid-October football games.

Volunteers at these games also passed out purple ribbons and wrist bands and there were inserts in the programs explaining the Awareness month.