Girls and boys are invited to meet Miss Arkansas 2015, Loren McDaniel, this Wednesday, Oct. 7 at The Promenade at Chenal. This October, McDaniel is partnering with Verizon to promote healthy relationships during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

McDaniel will share why domestic violence awareness is important to her and what is doing to raise awarness during her reign as Miss Arkansas. McDaniel's "Confidently You" platform aims to inspire and empower victims of domestic violence or bullying and remind them that their lives have value. She will also sign autographs and take photos with guests.

In addition, the public is encouraged to donate any no-longer-used mobile phones and accessories to Verizon’s HopeLine program. Through this program, Verizon takes phones from any carrier, refurbishes them, adds free wireless service and donates them to domestic violence shelters.

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. During a year, this adds up to more than 10 million women and men. NCADV also reports that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner. Compounding this tragedy, 1 in 15 children are exposed to the violence each year, with 90 percent of them having witnessed attacks on a loved one.

McDaniel will be at the Verizon store at The Promenade at Chenal in Little Rock from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 7. For more info, visit VerizonArkansas.com.