October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the goal of the 50 Shades of Purple Project in Port Clinton is to raise awareness about domestic violence within the community.

The main activity will be Saturday, Oct. 16 when the 50 Shades of Purple Project hosts a special “Purple Project Scavenger Hunt” in Downtown Port Clinton, where teams will look for clues and participate in challenges at different stops along the hunt. Some of the activities include sharing information and statistics on social media to raise awareness about issues like stalking, teen dating violence, child abuse, and adult partner abuse.

The hunt is filled with fun and silly challenges, too. Teams will start at different locations in the downtown area. The team that completes the scavenger hunt in the shortest amount of time will receive prizes.

The deadline to register for the Purple Project Scavenger Hunt is Friday, Oct. 8. In order to get a commemorative T-shirt, register by Friday, Oct. 1.

Victims, survivors, and advocates are all invited. Each team must have four to six people, and teams are encouraged to have at least one male member. The team that has the best T-shirts will also win prizes.

Cost for the scavenger hunt is $20 per person. Those who register before Friday, Oct. 1 are guaranteed to receive a purple event T-shirt. Registration closes Friday, Oct. 8.

Registration forms are on the Facebook page (50 Shades of Purple Project); or at Community Support Services, 1848 E. Perry St., Suite 60, Port Clinton, 419-734-9494; or at 323 Buckeye Blvd., Suite 1, Port Clinton, 419-734-3266.

To volunteer for the event use the same contact information. Some volunteers can be seated during the event, while others will need to be on their feet.

One of the contests, which involves searching for purple index cards with domestic violence awareness information, is already underway. This is open to anyone who wants to participate on an individual basis.

First, “follow” the page and share the event on your own page. Earn points by looking at the 50 Shades of Purple Facebook page daily for clues to find the purple index card that has been hidden within the MORA boundary in the downtown Port Clinton area.

A total of 16 clues will be hidden through Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Once they see the clues and find the purple index card, participants must post a photo of the index card on the event Facebook page. The first person to do so is awarded 10 points. Everyone else who does so is awarded 5 points. The winner must be present at the end of the Oct. 16 event in order to claim a prize.

Thanks to the Northwest Ohio Silent Witness Project, silhouettes of the six Ottawa County people who lost their lives to domestic violence will be on display Oct. 16. The Northwest Ohio Silent Witness Project is housed and maintained at Bethany House of Toledo.

The Clothesline Project will also be represented by a display of T-shirts created by survivors of assault and abuse, or people who lost a loved one due to violence. The visual display includes messages, statistics, and representations of hope and loss.

Therapist Michael Wilson will be available for anyone who would like to talk to him.

This event is not a fundraiser, but any revenue generated will be donated to RuthAnn’s House on behalf of Community Support Services, a transitional housing program for women and their families.

Registration for the event will start at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Meals on Madison area in the northern half of 100 block of Madison Street. The scavenger hunt will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude before dusk.