Longtime
Azalea Festival
volunteer Jean
Lawler among
the azaleas at
the Rotary
Garden in
Greenfield
Lake Park,
Oct. 12. She
was recognized
for her service
with a national
award.
WALK TO RAISE SUICIDE AWARENESS
THE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s annual
•
Out of the Darkness Walk in Wrightsville Beach is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 4. The fund-raiser
aims to help those affected by suicide and raise money for the AFSP. The funds allow the organization to “invest in
new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.”
The walk takes place on the 2.5-mile John Nesbitt Loop, beginning at Wrightsville Beach Park in front of Town Hall. There will be
a range of activities at the park before the walk, including face painting, corn hole, and a silent raffle.
Attendees are encouraged to bring photographs of loved ones lost to suicide to post on the Memory Wall. Honor beads will be
available to create and wear, with different colors indicating the ways in which suicide has affected a person’s life.
Registration is free and closes at noon the Friday before the walk. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 31. Participants should
arrive to Wrightsville Beach Park by 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event and the walk will begin at 2:15 p.m. — Maddie Driggers
The Out of the Darkness Walk, held annually at Wrightsville Beach, raises awareness of the devastating effect of suicide in
the community.
PHOTOS BY LOUISE RIPPY LANE
“I’ve never missed a parade,” she says. “I love the family
tradition.”
The award was for her work with the festival, but it could
have been for any number of volunteer efforts. Lawler has
served as vice president of the World War II Wilmington
Home Front Heritage Coalition, coordinated four Honor
Flights of World War II veterans from Wilmington to
Washington, and is a past president of The Seahawk Club
at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She was a
founding organizer and chair of Airlie Gardens’ inaugural
“Enchanted Airlie” holiday light display.
“I’m a Wilmingtonian, fourth generation,” she says.
“I love where I live. It’s just a matter of giving back.”
— Simon Gonzalez
15
ALLISON POTTER
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM