GREENFIELD — The local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention plans to hit the streets this weekend to raise money toward preventing suicide.
The annual Franklin County Out of the Darkness Community Walk is being hosted by the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Sunday at Energy Park in Greenfield.
The fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs.
The group’s goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide by 20 percent by 2025.
Local resident Linda Bergeron, who in recent years lost her daughter to suicide, plans the event each year, according to press release from the group.
“We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue. Suicide touches one in five American families,” said Kathleen Duquette, AFSP’s Western Mass. Chapter Board chairwoman, in a statement.
“We hope that by walking we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”
The Franklin County event is one of more than 375 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held across the country this year, the release said.
The walks are expected to attract more a quarter-million walkers and raise millions of dollars for suicide prevention efforts.
Last year, the Greenfield walk raised about $7,000 and had over 125 participants.
Register to walk or donate to the event by visiting www.afsp.org/greenfield or contacting the Western Mass. AFSP Chapter at 413-387-3770.
You can reach Tom Relihan at: 413-772-0261, ext. 264
or trelihan@recorder.com
On Twitter, @RecorderTom