Walk for Hope Set for September 14 at Lake Pacawa
By Patrick Lynn
PLOVER — The 18th annual Walk for Hope will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Lake Pacawa in Plover.
The event, organized by Prevent Suicide Portage County, will raise awareness about mental health issues and suicide prevention. The walk will begin at 10 a.m., with same-day registration available at the event.
Pre-registration, which opens July 10 on Eventbrite, costs $20 per walker for participants aged 14 and older. This fee includes a T-shirt for those who register before Aug. 16. A limited number of T-shirts will be available for same-day registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 5K Walk for Hope is designed to educate the community about mental health, support families who have lost loved ones to suicide, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Proceeds from the event will support various initiatives by Prevent Suicide Portage County, including:
- Survivors of Suicide Support Group
- Suicide prevention training (QPR) in the community
- Community speakers and workshops for mental health professionals
- Free gun-lock program at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital Emergency Department and community events
- Distribution of suicide prevention and mental health resources to local agencies
- Youth data analysis for prevention programming
- Elderly suicide prevention programs
- NAMI Raise Your Voice Program
For more information, contact Michelle Nelson at [email protected] or 715-346-5645, or Stephanie Ahrens at [email protected] or 715-340-7823. Additional details can be found at www.suicidepreventionportagecounty.org.