Saturday's Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk at Laurel Acres Park Biggest One Yet, Organizer Says
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ – Back in 2016, about 75 Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk participants, including organizer Kyra Berry, raised $23,881 to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, research and support for survivors of suicide loss.
Fast forward to October 18, when the 10th such event was held. Before the first person ever began the walk’s three laps around Laurel Acres Park in Mount Laurel, more than 650 people had registered and more than $80,000 had been raised, according to Berry, who noted that both are records for the event.
“Last year we had – maybe – a little over 500 participants and we raised about $75,000. So, this (year) is super exciting and really big. It doesn't get less rewarding. It just continues to be amazing and so meaningful to me,” Berry told TAPinto Mount Laurel in an interview.
Before the walk began, she made sure participants knew how much she appreciated their support.
“I cannot be more encouraged by how this event has grown over the last decade,” she said as the crowd broke into cheers and applause. “This walk is a living, breathing reminder of the light all around us, that no one here is ever alone, and that you are more than deserving of both happiness and feeling. From the bottom of my heart, I’m truly honored to walk with you all today.”
State Senator Troy Singleton, who also spoke before the walk began, said the day is more about raising money.
“It is about the idea that there is someone in this crowd who needs to be here today, at this moment, because they don't know if they're going to have it tomorrow. Your presence here today emboldens them to fight a little longer,” Singleton said.
“I want to ask you, when you see the person sitting quietly to themselves in any walk of your life, be the person who lends that hand, that kind ear, that compassionate heart to let them know that they are not alone.”
The participants then set out on their walk. The teams that raised the most money – which included The Mason Williams Foundation, Team Tanner, Kellie’s Krew, Mr. Banton and Team Puggi – led the way.
Many of the walk’s participants also left messages of remembrance, hope or encouragement on tiny stones, small blackboards or cardstock-made butterflies. Many also wore different colored beads, with each color representing the wearer’s relationship to a person who had committed suicide, such as parent, child, friend or partner.