x
  1. Home
  2.  News
  3.  Local News

Orange County Suicide Walk 2013 raises $30,000

| 03 Oct 2013 | 01:06
    Almost 300 participants returned to Warwick Valley High School to walk in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's "Out of the Darkness Community Walk" for Orange County.
    Almost 300 participants returned to Warwick Valley High School to walk in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's "Out of the Darkness Community Walk" for Orange County.

WARWICK ­— More than 300 participants returned to Warwick Valley High School on Sunday, Sept. 29, to walk in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness Community Walk” for Orange County.

“We walked again in loving memory of our son Daniel,” said Warwick resident and Hudson Valley coordinator Judy Battista. “And I appreciate all the support that people gave for this worthwhile cause.”

Judy and Rocco Battista joined thousands of people nationwide that day who were walking in memory of their loved ones lost by suicide, or those affected by suicide.

Battista’s team, “TIST4LIFE,” one of the five top fund raisers among dozens of other local teams, raised approximately $,2000. The final tally was not available at this time and additional donations can still be made.

The “Out of the Darkness” walks are held in the Fall throughout the Country to raise funds and awareness.

Proceeds from the walks are used to help support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy. The organization also reaches out to people with mental disorders and families impacted by suicide.

ShopRite, Price Chopper, Pennings Orchard and other local business donated food and refreshments. High School students under the direction of Dr. Raymond Bryant, superintendent of the Warwick Valley School District, served as volunteers.

After Pastor Janzen of the Warwick Assembly of God gave the invocation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention board member Sean Gerow welcomed everyone and introduced guest speakers, Darcie Miller, commissioner of Mental Health for Orange County, and Bryant.

During the event the teams symbolically walked about three miles around the area.

The ceremony closed with readings and a balloon release.

The next prevention event, National Survivors of Suicide Day, for those who lost someone to suicide, will be held at the Galleria Mall Community Room in Middletown on Nov. 23.

For information call Judy Battista at 914-489-7402.

The Orange County Mental Help hotline is: 1-800-832-1200 and the National Suicide Prevention lifeline is 1- 800-273 talk - (8255)