Dear Editor:
I want to take a moment to thank the Macomb and surrounding community for their generous support of the September 27th Out of the Darkness Walk to bring awareness and support for suicide prevention. A large crowd was on hand to support suicide loss survivors and those with lived experience. Over $24,000 was raised for prevention, education, advocacy, research, and support services MDH Behavioral Health Services, North Central Behavioral Health Systems, Therapeutic Solutions of Macomb, Brendon and Sawyer’s Memorial Golf Outing, Community News Brief, Capital Power, and Tri-States Public Radio were our lead sponsors. Macomb Park District, City of Macomb, and Hy-Vee provided In Kind support. The WIU Psychology Club/Psi Chi/Hotline was the top fundraising team with an astonishing $3000 in donations. Darcie Shinberger creatively reported on different topics related to suicide prevention and mental health.
Special thanks to our speakers Tonya Woods and Sarah Kosel for bravely sharing their stories. Sigma Lambda Gamma, Preeminent Ladies and Gentlemans Societies, Kappa Alpha Psi, and House Arrest II, all from WIU, came out to help run everything smoothly. A host of individual volunteers and families assisted, and our committee is always there: Aimee Anderson, Xochi Anderson, Kelley Quinn, Julie Murphy, Kelly Lucas, Ellen Moon, Kristin Terry, Terra Litchfield, Tonya Woods, Emilie Renner, and Morgan Payne.
We are all in this together. Contact information is below if you or your group is interested in programs or materials. If you are in crisis, please reach out to 988 for text or talk or your local mental health provider or hospital.
Sincerely, Susan Denecke, Chair Macomb/McDonough County Out of the Darkness Walk [email protected] www.afspil.org
