February 2010 Community Walk Recap: A Special Message from Walk Chair, Vicki Long: The Out of the Darkness Community Walk Committee of Orlando thanks everyone who walked, contributed, volunteered, donated items, and supported us on Saturday, February 6th at our Third Annual Out of the Darkness Walk held at Baldwin Park. A very special thank you to Jim Payne, WESH 2 News Anchor, who graciously served as our Honorary Chairman and Master of Ceremonies once again.
Our Hope is that you were able to connect and talk with others who have survived the tragedy of suicide loss. What a beautiful & heartfelt ending to our walk--Local Singer and Songwriter Matt Shenk performed a song the he lovingly wrote for his Mom after her death. “No Greater Love”, Matt said, I am dedicating this song to my Mom who suffered with the demons of mental illness and Substance Abuse, until it finally took her life. This is for you Mom." As he played his guitar and sang “Fly Angel Fly, Spread Your Wings and Soar the Heaven Sky” the Doves were released into the sky… I don’t think that there was a dry eye in the crowd. It was magical~
Thanks to your donations and support we had over700 walkers and raised almost $40,000 and counting. Donations are still being sent in. The money raised will be used by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in their research, awareness initiatives and survivor support programs. If you'd like to donate, you can visit our Donor Page.
Many Thanks to our Sponsors and Resource Tables: Heather Erenstein with N. Goldenrod Target that supplied the water, granola bars, garbage bags, Allstate Financial Services-Tomlison Agencies for the Bagels and the many volunteers from other Target stores, Publix for the bananas, Art Bailey -Bailey’s Coffee Service, Carolina the Doodler Face Painting, Greg Dawkins & the Orange County Corrections Department Honor Guard, Fraternal Order of the Eagles Club -furnished tents, tables, chairs, Coach Doug Merrill, TWLOHA, Michelle & Danielle -New Hope for Kids, Fast Signs, Holly - Be the Change, Myra and Carol - Orlando VA Medical Center, Bonnie & Marlene-Suncoast Yellow Ribbon-Lifekeeper Quilt, Charlotte-Mental Health Association of Central Florida, Donna-NAMIGO, DBSA of Orlando, Deanne-Central Florida Crisis Intervention Team, Special guests from Real Radio, Rob with White Bird Express, City of Orlando, United Site Services, & of course, WMMO Radio and Matt Shenk, Debbie and Bruce-Photography, Wells Real-Estate Fund (Travelers Insurance) for use of their parking lot, and most importantly YOU!
To View Pictures: OOTD Walk Pics 1, OOTD Walk Pics 2, OOTD Walk Pics 3, OOTD Walk Pics 4
Where does the money I raise go?
Corporate Sponsors
As the Out of the Darkness Community Walk event grows, so do the advantages of becoming a sponsor. In addition to being acknowledged on our walk website and in every email correspondence, sponsors will receive exposure in every medium this event provides. Sponsors are also featured on all of the printed materials, walk and volunteer t-shirts, signage at walk, and in AFSP's monthly newsletter, Life Support.
Your sponsorship will help raise awareness, end the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness, and save lives through education and research. We also welcome In-Kind Sponsorship. In-kind donations include water, coffee and sports drinks; to protein bars, fruit, and other types of snacks.
For more information, contact Marie Dudek at mdudek@afsp.org.
A Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
On February 14, 2009, more than 450 walkers and runners raised over $30,000. The top three teams included Justin Tobin Memory Walkers at $5854.00, HALOS at $3506.00, and Crockett's Crew at $2285.00. Thank you to our special guests of honor and supporters, Real Radio personalities Buckethead, Prince, and Bull, WESH 2 anchor Jim Payne, Coach Doug Merrill, MacDill Air Force Color Guard, and singer Jyssica Livingston. A dove release, by White Bird Express and sponsored by New Hope for Kids,marked a very special closing ceremony. Here's a link to our 2009 photos.
On Saturday, February 9, 2008, over 400 walkers participated in our first Out of the Darkness Walk in Central Florida. Together, we raised over $42,000 to fund research, educational programs, and survivor support initiatives to benefit our local community and national research and initiatives. A special thanks to all of our volunteers, sponsors, and walkers for going the extra mile to raise awareness and save lives. View more of our Walk Photos.
