Illuminate Walk raises more than $13,500 for suicide prevention
On Saturday, Oct. 23, The Links at Heartland Crossing held the first Illuminate Event & Walk presented by Guaranteed Rate Mortgage. More than 200 people gathered together to shine light on the topic of suicide prevention and awareness. Suicide is a growing problem in our state, and especially Morgan County. The purpose of this event was to stop the stigma associated with mental health issues and addiction and encourage interventions and education to prevent suicide.
Prior to the event, a tiktok competition was held asking individuals to submit a video of “Things I Live For”. Debb Cramer of Carpenter Realtors Monrovia gave $100 to our winner, Taylor Kressley, which she quickly donated back to the walk. Everyone who attended the event received commemorative t-shirts, goodie bags and a complimentary cup of hot cider courtesy of Jake’s Body Shop and The Links at Heartland Crossing. There was also a raffle with prizes donated by over 20 businesses in and around our community. Over 30 businesses sponsored our event, including St Francis, who provided games and prizes for all of our attendees and food and beverage trucks, including HoosierQue, Daddy’s Dogs and Tipsy Truck. DJ Randy Saxton emceed the event, Jim Taylor lifted us up in prayer and Monrovia resident Bre Ward spoke on her own experience with a close friend/family member who died by suicide. The walk began on Ayrshire Circle and was led by the Morgan County Sheriff Department. Madison Township Fire Department also shined their flashing lights (and high 5’d) our walkers as they passed through intersections. The last part of the walk included a candle lit path that followed holes 1, 2 and 9 on the golf course. As walkers exited the path, the song, “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hanson could be heard, as a large screen video came into view showing pictures of family and friends who had lost their lives to suicide.
The event was a huge success and raised over $13,550! The second Illuminate Event and Walk will be held at 6 p.m on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 starting The Links at Heartland Crossing. To keep up to date on all things Illuminate, visit https://fb.me/illuminatewalk
This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Illuminate Walk raises more than $13,500 for suicide prevention
