S H O R T S H O R T S • •
An unidentified group of walkers for the 2018
Out of the Darkness Walk gather for prayer before
setting out on the Wrightsville Beach Loop.
OUT OF DARKNESS
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. 3. The AFSP has local chapters
in all 50 states and holds walks in each. They bring
survivors together while allowing people the courage
to open up about their own struggle or loss.
The walks, held in hundreds of cities across the
country, are the AFSP’s biggest fundraiser. The funds
allow the organization to invest in research, create
educational programs, advocate for public policy, and
support survivors of suicide loss.
The AFSP has set a goal to reduce the annual sui-cide
rate 20 percent by 2025.
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 variety
of activities in the park before the walk,
including face painting, corn hole, a silent
raffle, and more.
Walkers and supporters are encouraged
to bring photographs of loved ones lost to
suicide to post on the Memory Wall. Honor
beads are 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. and the
walk will begin at 2:15 p.m. — Pat Bradford
CAPE FEAR STAGE | WILSON CENTER | CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
16
WBM october 2019
Playbills and a sample ticket from two of
the Broadway shows coming to Cape Fear
Community College’s Wilson Center.
JOAN MARCUS
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION