DECATUR — Locals looking to boot domestic and sexual abuse out of the community will have the perfect chance to help do so later this year.

Leaders with Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services recently kicked off planning for the third annual Survivor Stomp, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Fred Russ Forest Park, 20379 Marcellus Highway, Decatur. Organizers are currently seeking sponsors for the fundraiser, who may pledge at a variety of levels, including:

• Presenting sponsor, for companies that pledge $10,000 or more to the event. Sponsors will have their name and logo placed the T-shirt made for the event, will be featured in all marketing materials, press releases and emails, and will have their name displayed in a prominent position the day of the race.

• Platinum sponsor, for companies that pledge $5,000. Sponsors will have their name and logo highlighted on all marketing materials, and will have their name and logo displayed at the event and highlighted on press releases, agency website , event announcements, emails and social media.

• Gold sponsor, for companies that pledge $1,000 or more to the event. Sponsors will have their logo displayed on the event flyer, at the event, and on emails and social media.

• Silver sponsor, for companies that pledge $500 or more. Sponsors will have their name displayed at the event and on the agency’s website/social media.

• Bronze sponsor, for companies that pledge $250 or more. Sponsors will have their name displayed at the event and on social media posts promoting it.

As with previous years, the third annual Survivor Stomp will feature a 5K run through the Cass County park, which runners may register to participate in for $25. The event will also feature a free 1.4-mile walk, with the distance representing the 1 in 4 women who will face domestic or sexual violence in their lifetime, said DASAS Executive Director Kimberly Kramer.

Returning from last year will be a free 1.4-mile dog walk as well.

Launched by DASAS in 2016, the Survivor Stomp is the nonprofit agency’s largest annual fundraiser in Cass County. Nearly 70 runners and walkers participated in last year’s sophomore effort, up from 47 who signed up for the initial event.

On top of raising money to support DASAS’ efforts to help women and families suffering from domestic and sexual abuse in Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties, the Survivor Stomp also gives people a way to publicly show solidarity with victims of these types of crimes, which are still too often obscured in the shadows, Kramer said

“It’s a pretty simple event,” she said. “It doesn’t require a lot of time, but it makes a big impact.”

The organization is looking to raise $8,000 or more through this year’s event. The money will go toward DASAS’ general operations, including its shelter in Three Rivers and its office in Dowagiac.

Any excess funds will go toward boosting the nonprofit’s youth education program, where members of the organization speak to local high school and middle school students to encourage them to practice healthy behaviors in their relationships, and how to identify signs of an abusive relationship. Kramer said she and other leaders with DASAS would like to eventually expand this program to area elementary schools as well, but will need additional funding to make that happen.

People who would like to sign up for the event may do so online, at dasasmi.networkforgood.com/events/4682-3rd-annual-survivor-stomp. People or companies interested in sponsoring the event may call Kramer at (269) 815-0265 or email her at kimk@dasasmi.org.

“I would really encourage companies not just to consider a sponsorship, but to field a team for the event as well, to take a stand against sexual violence,” Kramer said.