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Thank you to all for suicide prevention walk
To the Editor:
The eighth annual Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Community Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) was held Sunday, Oct. 1, at Kish Park, Lewistown. The three-county community walk welcomed residents and agencies offering resources within Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata Counties.
With 275 registered participants and 36 teams, over $33,000 was raised to be used for research, advocacy, education and to promote awareness. AFSP's mission is to support prevention efforts, save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Resources can be found at www.afsp.org/Lewistown.
Contributing businesses and sponsors were AstraCares, CenClear, Service Access and Management, Juniata Valley Crisis (CCR), Tri County Drug and Alcohol, Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH), The Meadows, Clarion Psychiatric Center, Lancaster Behavioral Health, Community Services Group, SKILLS Drop In Centers, Peer Star, Mifflin County MC Communities That Care, Geisinger Team 3B, Together With Veterans, Jeremy's Journey, Veterans Leadership Program, Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital, Foundations Behavioral Health, Tower Behavioral Health, Jana Marie Foundation, Primary Health Foundation, Mifflin Juniata Human Services, WellSpring Counseling, Merakey, Step By Step USA, Juniata County Prevention, Mainstream Counseling, Alltrista, Fraternal Order of the Eagles No. 4294, Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services, Huntingdon Elks No. 976, First Area Credit Union, Kish Bank, Lerch RV, Clayton Homes, First Quality, Derry Township, Vince's Pizza and Dunkin Donuts.
We also express our gratitude to those who shared during the opening ceremony: Juniata County Commissioner Alice Gray, Samantha Bruno-Eastern Pennsylvania Area Director, AFSP and Drew Paterson. In addition, the walk success is due to our walk committee volunteers, FAME EMS, The Brooklyn Boys and Chad Johnson, and ZTM Rentals and Trevor Lawson.
Thank you for your support of suicide awareness. This walk was about turning hope into action.
Stephanie Porch, Chair