Over the weekend Patrick, Morgan, and I were in southern WV to participate in the 2nd annual Out of the Darkness Walk for the Prevention of Suicide. Like walking for March of Dimes or Relay for Life, we raised money to help the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention continue their programs to help increase awareness of suicide prevalence and suicide prevention.
For those who don't know, Patrick is the State Coordinator for the West Virginia Suicide Prevention Council. He is very passionate about his current work, more than I have ever see him be engaged in all of his other jobs. As the coordinator, he has vowed to attend all of the walks in West Virginia (Huntington is currently the only one) to help increase awareness in the state.
For those who don't know, Patrick is the State Coordinator for the West Virginia Suicide Prevention Council. He is very passionate about his current work, more than I have ever see him be engaged in all of his other jobs. As the coordinator, he has vowed to attend all of the walks in West Virginia (Huntington is currently the only one) to help increase awareness in the state.
My sister-in-law Amy and our niece Julia joined us once again. The weather was a little (OK a lot) colder than last year, but the Lord was kind enough to clear the skies long enough for us to walk without rain.
It is a bittersweet day for most of the folks who came out to walk. Almost everyone there had been touched by suicide in one way or the other. The Huntington walk is coordinated by a woman who lost her husband to suicide in 2006. I also saw at least two teams who were walking in memory of family members who had completed suicide in 2008. I pray that this walk helps the healing process for those touched by suicide, and I am thankful that we have not experienced suicide in our lives so far. At the beginning of the walk there was a balloon release. Most balloons had notes on them in rememberance of a loved one lost. Then the entire group walked in support of those there who had suffered lost, those who wanted to help the healing, and those who didn't know what more to do other than to say, we love you.
Within our family, we had a friendly competition to see if we can both raise our goal of $150 each. I am very happy to report that as a family we raised $305 to support our 2 mile walk. Morgan and I reached our goal first, so Patrick owes us a treat (either ice cream or cookie cake)!
Thank you again for your prayers and for your donations. We hope to continue working to raise awareness of the national epidemic that is suicide.
1 comment:
That is great cause. One of my students just committed suicide about 3 weeks ago. It was so hard on everyone.
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