Posted on September 23, 2008

Walk to Prevent Suicide: October 11

The Rockport Elementary School’s East campus will be the starting point of the first ever “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk, the 5K fundraising and awareness walk that will benefit the Maine chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Funds raised will help to support local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs. The Coastal Maine walk takes place on Saturday, October 11, with check in at 9:00 a.m. and the non-competitive walk at 10:00 a.m.

The Coastal Maine “Out of the Darkness” Walk is one of 150 walks being held this fall nationwide, from September through early November. In addition to the local walk, four other walks have or will take place in Maine: Portland, Bangor, Presque Isle and Waterville. Nationally, the walks are expected to unite over 30,000 walkers and raise over $2.5 million for AFSP. Those interested may pre-register and fundraise online at www.outofthedarkness.org or solicit donations from friends and co-workers using a sponsor sheet found on the website and register at the walk itself.

For more information about the local walk, contact Julie Clement or John Long at Long Funeral Home at (207) 236-0092, or contact Dalene Dutton at (207) 236-9800 or dalene@fivetownctc.org.

For more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, contact Rhoda Freeman at 207-822-9989, or email her at rfreeman@afsp.org.