Suicide prevention walk scheduled this Sunday at Warwick Valley High School

WARWICK — The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness Community Walk,” approximately three miles, for Orange County, will be held this Sunday, Sept. 29, at Warwick Valley High School at 8:30 a.m.

Check in time is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Online registration closes at noon this Friday but anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk and donations are accepted until Dec. 31.

Warwick residents Judy and Rocco Battista plan to walk with their team, “TIST4LIFE," a consistent top fund raiser among dozens of other local teams that join approximately 300 participants each year.

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.

“We will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Orange County Walk on Sunday, September 29th at the Warwick Valley HS - Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,” said Judy Battista. “And we will be walking in loving memory of our son Daniel at the High school he attended, in the town he lived and loved, and in the town he died and is now his resting place.”

Daniel Rocco Battista died on April 26, 2008. He was 20 years old.

“There will be other teams and families walking in memory of their loved ones lost by suicide, or those affected by suicide,” said Judy Battista. “I want to thank you all for your support and donations in the past, and we appreciate anything you can give for this year’s walk. We hope you can join us in this effort, and join our team to walk. If you can’t attend the walk, but wish to donate, any amount is welcomed. As always, we thank you for your heartfelt love and support. Every dollar raised will help save a life.”

For additional information or to make a donation call 987-4207 or visit www.tista4life.com.