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Out of the Darkness

I can’t believe it’s been six years – it was September of  2015 when Joey Sherwood took his life, and an entire town wept.

Ever since, Joey’s widow Joy has been taking part in the  Out of the Darkness Community Walk, an annual event sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The Walk allows Joy to honor her husband and connect with other survivors who share her particular brand of pain.

The Walk is also a fundraiser, and although it doesn’t take place until September 26th, participants like Joy have already been busy raising money to help AFSP continue their important work.

Like last year, Joy is the leading fundraiser for the Dutchess/Ulster Walk, but she needs your help to reach her goal. The AFSP has a goal too- to reduce suicides by 20% by 2025 (nearly 50,000 Americans die each year from suicide).

To help Joy and to honor Joey’s memory please consider a contribution by following this link: https://afsp.donordrive.com/participant/Joy-Sherwood-2021

The AFSP teaches grade schoolers about mental health, continues research into what causes people to attempt suicide, and educates the general population about what behaviors to look for and how to get help for someone who exhibits those warning signs.

To get more information about the Dutchess/Ulster Out of the Darkness Walk visit:  https://sportingacause.com/event/dutchess-and-uls…-against-suicide/

For the Berkshire County Out of the Darkness Walk go to :  https://sportingacause.com/event/berkshire-county…-prevent-suicide/

For the Columbia-Greene Out of the Darkness Walk go to:  https://sportingacause.com/event/columbia-greene-…-against-suicide/

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US.

To learn more about AFSP’s good work visit https://afsp.org/

 

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I Missed the Point

I have blogged often about the large crowds that turn out for the many “Walk” fundraisers in the Tri-State area. Those throngs are a testament to the dedication of so many who support the fight against the plagues on humanity like Alzheimer’s, ALS, hunger, suicide and many more- too many more.
But I’ve missed the point. The true value here is not in the crowds that walk for these causes but in the individuals.
You see, each individual in that crowd is a fundraiser. For reasons of their own – often they’ve lost a loved one to a disease, they labor for months before the first step of the Walk. They solicit friends, family, neighbors and coworkers for pledges. They set up fundraising pages to reach a wider audience. Each person’s devotion to the cause is the reason for the success of the Walk, and their aggregate can add up to stunning financial results.
Here are some of those folks who are fundraising for their causes along with links to their fundraising pages. If you have the ability to help any or all of these causes, bless your heart! You will not only be participating in worthy causes, you will be helping to bolster the resolve of these good people in their efforts.
Nicole Roy is raising money for the ALS Foundation . Nicole Roy and Team Roy have participated for eight years in the Ride to Defeat ALS . Nicole lost her father Paul to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Her link is https://www.facebook.com/donate/1191671207873585/10219707843141627/.
Marlane White and Tina Hogan are both deeply involved in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Not only will they be walking , they have worked tirelessly to organize the event . Its success will be due largely to their efforts.
Thomas Sherwood is walking with Team Joey in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Thomas lost his brother Joey to suicide. You can find his fundraiser at https://afsp.donordrive.com/participant/Thomas-Sherwood.
And Amy Truax will be walking in the Northwest CT CROP Hunger Walk which will be held virtually this year. Without the energy and connection that comes with a “live” event, it will be all the more important to support individuals like Amy to make these virtual Walks successful. Amy’s link is https://www.crophungerwalk.org/falls…/SheffieldAshleyFalls.
To find details about these and other worthy sports-related fundraisers visit http://sportingacause.com/ .
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