CHAPEL HILL- Next month, the local community is invited to an event designed to benefit domestic violence prevention by remembering one of its sufferers.

“Martha’s Day” shares its name with the mother of Laura Morrison, who was a victim of domestic violence 17 years ago. Morrison, who’s organizing the program, says it coincides with both her mother’s birthday and the birthday of Chapel Hill’s Compass Center.

“I do something for her birthday every year, but this is the first year I’ve done something public and charitable,” she says. “It all came together really quickly, and I’m really excited about where it’s headed.”

The Compass Center was born last July with the merging of the Chapel Hill Family Violence Prevention and Women’s Centers. The organization is designed to end domestic violence through crisis services, court advocacy, financial literacy workshops, and a variety of other programs.

The Martha’s Day event will take place at Vimala’s Curryblossom Café. Morrison says the restaurant’s owner, Vimala Rajendran, was especially open to the idea because she too was a victim of domestic violence.

“I know she’s very giving, but I didn’t expect her graciousness with this event,” she says. “I think at first, she was almost more excited about it than I was, which was really encouraging for me.”

Morrison says the event will include dinner, with donations encouraged, along with a few other surprises.

“Certain levels of donations will get you certain things from the menu,” she says. “An in-person donation of more than $250 will get you the ‘Martha Plate,’ which will be a special meal and a glass of wine. We’ll have live music, I’m sure someone from Compass Center will speak, and I will likely speak. The other piece of it is a raffle sponsored by DSI comedy for an iPad mini.”

Martha’s Day is set for July 8 from 6-9 p.m, but you can also make a donation online before the event by clicking here.

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