You’re invited to Vimala’s Curryblossom Café on Tuesday, July 8, from 6-9 pm to raise funds and awareness for the fight against domestic violence.

Organized by Laura Morrison of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, “Martha’s Day” is now an annual event held in memory of Morrison’s mother, Martha Pearson, who was killed by her husband in 1995 at the age of 42. Morrison was only nine.

“Martha’s Day is my small way of celebrating my mom – her life and her courage – on her birthday (July 8), while also pushing our community to come together to confront domestic violence,” says Morrison.

Last year’s inaugural Martha’s Day event drew about 300 attendees and raised $5,000; this year, Morrison says, she’s hoping for an even larger turnout. Proceeds raised will go to benefit the Compass Center for Women and Families.

“Martha’s Day is an opportunity for our community to engage in meaningful dialogue to end domestic violence and celebrate the lives of domestic violence victims and survivors,” says  Morrison. “People often think domestic violence doesn’t happen in our community, but data from the Chapel Hill Police Department shows that police officers spent a minimum of 648 hours and $11,000 responding to 335 domestic violence calls in 2013. Domestic violence does happen in our community, and Martha’s Day addresses that violence head on.”

Morrison joined Aaron Keck earlier this month on the WCHL Afternoon News to talk about the event.

Tickets for this year’s Martha’s Day event are $35, which includes dinner from Vimala’s and a built-in donation to the Compass Center. There will be live music and a raffle as well.

Martha’s Day is presented by Molly Maid of Chapel Hill and the Ms. Molly Foundation, and the event is sponsored by Vimala’s Curryblossom Café, Cake LLC, Enitech IT Solutions, A Better Image Printing, DSI Comedy, Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA.

For more information, visit CompassCtr.org or contact Morrison at marthasdayevent@gmail.com. You can donate online as well at www.compassctr.org/marthasdayOnline donors should write “Martha’s Day” in the “In Honor” section of the online donation form.