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Community Corner

Friends of Slain Oswego Woman Walk to Raise Domestic Violence Awareness

"Team Brandi," formed in memory of Brandi Murphy, victim of an August murder-suicide in Oswego, will participate in Mutual Ground's Walk for Hope on Saturday.

Mary Miller, a 39-year-old mother of three, has never participated in a 5K until now. This Saturday, she will walk in her first 5K for her childhood friend, Brandi Murphy.

Murphy was killed at her Oswego home on Aug. 16 when her on-again, off-again boyfriend Daniel Kiefer shot her in an apparent murder-suicide. Court records showed a history of domestic violence, with Murphy taking out an order of protection against Kiefer in August of 2010—an order which Murphy asked a judge to lift a few weeks later.

“Shortly after Brandi died, I was looking for creative ways to deal with my grief,” said Miller, of Oswego, who went to St. Paul’s Lutheran School with Murphy and reconnected with her a couple of years ago through Facebook.

They quickly realized that their children were on the same youth football league, and Miller wrote that she’d hope to see Murphy at practice. They never were able to connect in person.

Miller says she wants to help change the outcome for someone who might be in a similar situation to Murphy.

“We couldn’t save Brandi, but maybe we can save other women,” she said.

Miller, along with other friends of Murphy, have formed Team Brandi and will participate in Mutual Ground's 4th Annual Walk for Hope on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva. She is also assisting with a benefit for Murphy's children on Oct. 22 at Mike and Denise's Pizzeria in Aurora.

Miller will be walking with her children and more than 20 others on Saturday. Team Brandi has raised almost $2,000 so far.

Tragedies like Murphy's often shine a spotlight on Mutual Ground, but they are not how staff there wants the organization to grow, said Judy Jacobson, associate director of fund development. She added that unfortunately, unless something terrible happens, domestic violence is often swept under the rug.

As much as society likes to pretend sexual and domestic violence does not exist, it does, and Mutual Ground is creating awareness, Jacobson said.

“We just need to be there,” she said. As to Murphy and other victims of abuse, she says, “Love should not have to hurt.”

To that end, Mutual Ground hopes that the run will raise $75,000 through teams and online giving at www.firstgiving.com/mutualground. Saturday’s walk starts at 8 a.m. and there will be entertainment, refreshments, children's activities and more.

Mutual Ground's website tells the story: “Domestic violence and sexual assault are horrific crimes. They bring devastation to the victim, their families and the entire community. The fact that these problems exist is a threat to all, because any one of us is a potential victim.”

Mutual Ground, a non-profit organization located in Aurora, provides victims of domestic violence or sexual assault with services that focus on safety, healing and prevention. Please call Mutual Ground at 630-897-0084 or visit their website at www.mutualground.org for more information.

Send donations to Mutual Ground, 418 Oak Ave., Aurora IL 60506.

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The Oct. 22 benefit for the family of Brandi Murphy begins at 3 p.m. at Mike and Denise's, 1760 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora. It will include a buffet dinner, a live band and a raffle, with all proceeds going to Murphy's children and relatives. Tickets can be purchased at www.brandimurphybenefit.com.

A donation account has been set up at . You can donate at any Old Second location with this information: Brandi Murphy Memorial Fund, Tax ID/EIN #: 453126676.

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