Volunteer

Walk Committee and Day-of Walk volunteers are always needed and we cannot be successful without them! 

Fill out our Volunteer Application to learn more about volunteers opportunities with the Walk and throughout the AFSP National Capital Are Chapter and find the right fight fit for you!

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the Walk shows your community and employees that your business cares about mental health and preventing suicide. Download our Sponsor Packet to learn how you can help stop this leading cause of death.

Sponsor T-Shirt Deadline: 9/16/2022

Overall Sponsor Deadline: 10/07/2022 

Fundraise to Help #StopSuicide

Raise $150+ by 10/22/2022 and receive the official 2022 D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk t-shirt!

Donations can be made to a team as a whole,  but the t-shirt and other Recognition Program gifts are based only on INDIVIDUAL fundraising.  

 More Team & Walker Rewards!

Earn recognition, a team table and/or tent at the Walk, invitations to VIP events, AFSP swag, and more through our Team & Walker Rewards!

Rewards Deadline: 10/7/2022

Promote the Walk in Your Community! 

Follow us on social!

AFSP National Capital Area Chapter: @AFSP.NCAC on Facebook and @AFSP_NCAC on Instagram and Twitter.

Please use #StopSuicideNCAC to connect our local community served by the National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC)!

Team Corner

Become a Team Captain

Team Central

Be sure to follow all of the steps after registering to get that fundraising going!

* Update your page and pic 

* Make a self-donation

* Check out our Top 10 Tips & To Dos!

* Utilize Participant Hub

* Create a FB Fundraiser through your account or it will not connect to your page! This is super easy in the app btw (wink wink) 

Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: No, there is no registration fee to participate.

Q: What if it rains?
A: The event is rain or shine.

Q: If I raise enough money, will my whole team get a shirt?
A: No. The event shirts are only given to individuals who raise $150. If your whole team wants a shirt, each member must raise $150. 

Q: How do I make an offline donation?
A: To send a donation by check, please complete this form and send it with your check to the address provided.

Q: Is there a fundraising minimum?
A: No, but we strongly encourage each participant to set a $150 fundraising goal to help support AFSP's work to stop suicide and receive the official walk t-shirt!

Q: Can I register at the Walk?  
A: Yes!  You can register in-person at the Walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Walk donations are accepted until 12/31/2022.

Q: What is the Walk Route?  
A: See Walk Route Map

Q: Is the event/Walk kid-friendly?  
A: Yes!  We will have lots of activities for the whole family to enjoy and the route is paved and stroller-friendly. However, the pre-walk event will take place in a grassy field (JFK Hockey field) which can be difficult to navigate with a stroller, especially if it has recently rained.

Q: Where do I park?  
A: Limited free day-long parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW (along the Potomac River south of the Lincoln Memorial or in Lots A, B & C south of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial). Private paid parking garages and lots can be found downtown north of the National Mall. Free on-street parking is generally restricted to two hours (ticketing/towing enforced). 

Q: What is the closest metro?  
A: The closest Metro Stations are Smithsonian (1.2 miles away) and Foggy Bottom - GWU (0.9 miles away). Information and schedules for Metro can be found at www.wmata.com. AFSP will not be providing shuttles busses from the metro this year. 

Q: Can I bring my dog?  
A: Yes!  Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.

Q: Must-have items I should bring?  
A: We recommend bringing comfy shoes, bug spray, sunscreen, reusable water bottles, donations, and money to purchase your AFSP swag!

Q: Will there be food/drink available?  
A: Water and light snacks will be provided by AFSP for volunteers and registered walkers only. Food/beverage options are also available for purchase along the National Mall at food trucks and at Lincoln Retail Refreshments & Gift Shop.

Q: Will there be restrooms on-site?  
A: Yes! There will be on-site porta potties available for registered walkers and volunteers. There are also restrooms located inside of the Lincoln Memorial which are open to the general public. 

Q: If I come alone, will someone walk with me?  
A: Yes! Volunteer Walk Buddies will be on-site to walk with anyone who does not want to walk alone. You will be able to identify volunteer Walk Buddies by their orange t-shirts that say "Walk Buddy."

Q: What is the Care Team?  
A: Care Team members are volunteer mental health professionals who will be on-site to talk to anyone who may need support at the Walk. You will be able to identify them by their purple t-shirts that say "Care Team."

Q: Where do I go for First Aid?  
A: A first aid kit can be found at the Volunteer Check-in tent. We will also have police officers on-site who can help provide first aid assistance as well. And, of course, if there is an emergency or you need immediate care while out on the Walk Route, please dial 911.

Q: Can I bring my own table/tent/chairs for my team?  
A: No. However, you do have the opportunity to have AFSP provide your team a tent and/or table at the Walk by earning them through our Team & Walker Rewards!  

Q: What if my group gets separated?  
A: We advise guests to use the Family Art Activity Tent at a meet-up location or to alert the DJ at the stage to make an announcement over the sound system.

Q: Who may I contact with questions?  
A: D.C. Walk Chair Derek Kernus at Chair.DCWalk@gmail.com. 

On-Site Activities

* Pick up you Walk t-shirt (for $150+ fundraising walkers) and collect your other earned Team & Walker Rewards!

* Get your AFSP swag!

* Hope & Healing Activities

* Family Art Activities / Face Painting

* Resources Fair

* Team Photo Area

* So much more!

Honor Beads

Honor Beads will be available on-site to show your connection(s) to the cause.

We will also host an Honor Beads Ceremony during the Closing Ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial following the Walk. 

Resources Fair

Exhibitors are invited to participate in our Resources Fairs to present materials related to resources offered by the exhibitor which serve the AFSP’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Learn more & apply to exhibit here.

Hope & Healing

Walkers will have the opportunity to participate in activities of Hope & Healing, including:

* Order a personalized Honor & Remembrance Sign to be displayed on the Walk Route. Order Deadline: 10/7/2022

* Create a Luminaria to display during the Closing Ceremony

* Add to the Honor & Remembrance Chain

* Make a personalized "I'm Walking For" button