It’s that time of year again, to take the plunge into Lake Tapps for domestic violence awareness.

October was declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month by Mayor Neil Johnson at the Oct. 8 city council meeting.

This declaration is sponsored by the Exodus House, an organization that works exclusively with homeless families affected by domestic violence.

At any given time, the Exodus House helps roughly 42 families in Pierce and south King County, executive director Joe O’Neil said.

The Exodus House is holding their fourth annual Take the Plunge Against Domestic Violence event on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. at Allan Yorke Park in Bonney Lake.

The money raised from this event will go toward helping the families get needed supplies such as pots and pans, shower curtains, towels and other items that will allow them to move forward, O’Neil said. He added that each family is unique and so are the supplies they need.

To register to plunge into the frigid lake or for those not quite brave enough to jump in and would rather donate, visit the Exodus House’s website for more information. Prizes will also be given out to those with the best Halloween costume.

“The shock and awe (of jumping into the lake) is a symbolic gesture of what victims experience,” O’Neil said.