Bags for Nat event puts spotlight on domestic abuse prevention

It’s a fun event with the serious mission of raising awareness and funding for domestic violence prevention.

Bags for Nat is held in honor of Natalie Beissel, a 32-year old medical student from Lakeville who was nearing completion of medical school when she was murdered by her live-in boyfriend. Her family was shocked to find out how abusive the relationship had been.

"She was living with a guy," her brother, Nick Beissel, said. "We met him one time in seven years and didn’t realize the abuse she was going through until we were able to get into her phone after she was murdered and read the conversations between the two of them."

After a period of mourning, the family put their energy and focus on trying to prevent other women or men from becoming victims like Natalie.

"When we read those text messages, it was almost like she was talking to us and speaking and saying, ‘I want to break the silence of domestic abuse,’ and so for us, we knew we had to do something," Natalie’s sister-in-law, Shelly Beissel, said.

That "something" is an organization called Love Conquers Violence, and its main event of the year, Bags 4 Nat.

This year, the 64-team bags tournament will be held at Malone’s Bar and Grill in Maple Grove on Aug. 7. Some team entries are still available.

If you don’t play bags, you can register as a spectator and take part in other games or just watch and donate money for domestic violence prevention. More details can be found on the event’s website. You can also see the entire interview with Nick and Shelly Beissel on "At Issue with Tom Hauser" Sunday morning at 10 a.m.