‘Pasta in the Park’ benefits survivors of domestic violence, assault

On Saturday evening, at the campus of the Myron Stratton Home in Colorado Springs, 500 people gathered to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The 24 th annual “Pasta in the Park,” by the advocacy agency TESSA, featured a domestic violence victim as a keynote speaker, along with wine and beer tasting, and silent and live auctions.

Also included was a pasta sauce competition involving 15 teams.

“Teams from all over the community came up with their own creations and their own pasta sauces,” said Kristy Bootes, a TESSA manager. “People went to each station and tasted the sauces.. Wines were paired with each sauce so people could sample some wine, as well.”

Saturday’s event was sold out, with all proceeds going to support TESSA of Colorado Springs and its mission to help female victims.

The event was TESSA’s main fundraiser and the agency set a goal of $100,000.