In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Zonta Club members are planning the Club’s eighth annual Domestic Violence Awareness event at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at 2323 Ring Road in Elizabethtown, the former First Federal Bank building and the future home of Elizabethtown City Hall.

Special guest is Sofie, a 12-year-old pit-mix, who has performed therapy dog services since 2016. Sofie is part of the Victim Services Program with Elizabethtown Police Department, which started in 2023. Sofie will be accompanied by Victim Service Specialist Anesha Knott, who runs the program.

Knott will speak at the event and share about the impact of the program on domestic violence survivors.

The Victim Services Program was started with the idea that victims would be more comfortable talking to someone other than an officer. With the help of Sofie, in addition to building trust, she provides information, addresses immediate safety needs and even assist in finding pet care, etc. Knott works with the victim through the investigation process and court proceedings. She has assisted more than 160 victims in the past year.

As part of the event, participants will walk along the sidewalk waving domestic violence prevention signs and bring awareness to the issue. Those signs will be posted along the road in front of the building and extend past the Derm Specialist building during October.

For information about Zonta, go to zontainternational.org, Facebook or for membership, text Linda Funk at 270-307-2858. Meeting location may vary at times but typically are the fourth Thursday evening at Shoney’s with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and meeting at 6 p.m.

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