Domestic Violence Awareness Is Goal Of Memorial Run In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ —The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation will have its third annual Butterfly Color Walk/Run on Saturday, Oct. 1, to mark the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The event will be held at Lake Topanemus Park in Freehold with many events going on all day as well as the main event - the walk/run.

The foundation, begun by Stephanie's parents, not only keeps her memory alive, but it spreads awareness about domestic violence and sexual abuse. It also raises funds to continue its many initiatives.

At the event, there will be a variety of activities, the organizers say:

• Fishing Derby is from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. for kids
• Cornhole Tournament by New Jersey Nightmare Cornhole
• Color Run/Walk for all to enjoy, starting at noon
• Live musical performance at 12:30 p.m. by N & D Electric Duo

There are also kids' activities, face painting, sand art, balloons, an interactive sports game inflatable, mechanical bull ride, cotton candy, ices, food, drinks, beer, merchandise and more, organizers say.

In addition, Mayor Kevin Kane and the Mayor's Wellness Campaign will run together to support an end to domestic violence. Check the borough Facebook site for more information about joining his team.

For more information or to register for any of these events, visit www.snpfoundation.org or call 732-462-5793.

Early-bird pricing through online registration ends Sept. 30. But walk-up registration will be available on Sept. 30 at the park between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., as well as up until 11:30 a.m. the day of the event. The Fishing Derby day-of registration is until 8:15 a.m.

The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation's mission is to provide education, intervention and support to families and individuals dealing with domestic violence, sexual abuse and missing loved ones.

Nearly three years have passed since the death in 2019 of Stephanie Nicole Parze of Freehold Township, who was killed as a result of a domestic violence attack. Her attacker later died by suicide.

The Parze family has vowed to keep Stephanie's name and memory alive and to work to prevent this from happening to others.

She was "a beautiful, caring, 25-year old woman. . . a student athlete, a talented artist, and a compassionate, loyal friend to everyone she met," the site continues.

It notes that her parents learned through their experience "of the epidemic that is domestic violence firsthand."

According to estimates by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and statistics of the FBI, approximately 16,441 individuals were victims of domestic violence homicides in the last 10 years.

The foundation is involved in many initiatives, Ed Parze, Stephanie's father has said:

• The organization will pay for six months to a year of service for an Angel Alert device that domestic abuse victims who have a restraining order or temporary order against someone can activate in an emergency to get immediate help if approached by the person.
• Providing "care bags" for victims is another expanding area of support.
• The organization also provides educational outreach to high schools, area colleges and other agencies, among other programs.