Washington DC Walk
Join us on October 22, 2022
Donate Congratulations to the National Capital Area Chapter and the Washington, D.C. OOTD Walk, winners of the following 2022 AFSP Chapter Leadership Awards recognizing their outstanding achievements in 2021:
AFSP's Overall Chapter of the Year: National Capital Area
#8 Top-Fundraising Out of the Darkness Walk: Washington, D.C.
Event Details
Walk Date: 10/22/2022
Walk Location: Lincoln Memorial
Walk Event Timeline:
• 2:30 PM: Check-in / Registration / Pre-Walk Activities
• 4:30 PM: Opening Ceremony
• 5:00 PM: Walk Begins
• 6:30 PM: Closing Ceremony
• 7:00 PM: Event Ends
For more information, please contact:
Contact Name: Derek Kernus (He/Him/His)
Contact Phone: 646-632-5189
Contact Email: Chair.DCWalk@gmail.com
See 2021 D.C. Walk Photos
Volunteers Needed!
This event is not possible without the help of our amazing volunteers. To help us on the day of the Walk (10/22/22), please sign up here to volunteer at the Walk!
*We have volunteer opportunities for both youth and adults. Volunteering at the Walk is great for earning community service hours too!
Welcome to the Out of the Darkness
Washington DC Walk
10/22/2022
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.
If you're looking for support and/or resources, please visit www.afsp.org/get-help and www.afsp.org/resources.
Register!
Returning participant? Thank you for being a Walk Alumni! When you click the register button be sure to click the blue Login link under "Been Here Before?"
Having trouble registering? Click here to view a step-by-step guide. See FAQs below if you have any questions.
If you’ve already registered and would like to either create a new team or join an existing one, log into your account and click on the “change team membership” option on the right hand side of your dashboard tab (on mobile you’ll need to click “dashboard” first). View this video tutorial for more help.
There's now an app to make it even easier to raise funds and receive updates!
Click below to get started!
And don't forget about all the ways you can FUNdraise!
Sponsor!
Download the 2022 D.C. Walk's Sponsor Packet to learn more about our various sponsorship opportunities. With sponsorship levels starting at just $250, this is a perfect way for large and small businesses to play a leadership role in making suicide prevention a priority in our community. To recognize your support, we have developed a variety of options to elevate your brand awareness and align your business with a good cause! For information about sponsor levels and benefits, please see the enclosed Sponsor Opportunities & Benefits and Sponsor Agreement.
Sponsor T-Shirt Deadline: 9/16/2022
Overall Sponsor Deadline: 10/07/2022
Ways You Can Help
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 |
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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 Extended: 10/12/2022 
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)! |
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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) 
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Opening Ceremony Emcee: DC101's Mike Jones
You know him from his music and cultural insights after Elliot in The Morning from 10-something until 3pm on DC101.
Mike Jones has been a supporter of the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk for many years and, as this year’s Opening Ceremony emcee, he has joined the AFSP once again to #BeTheVoice for suicide prevention!
Join Mike Jones while you’re working and while you’re taking your break for an hour of non-stop Alternative excellence with the Commercial Free Lunch at noon!
FAQs
Q: Where do I find the Walk Program?
A: See the Walk Program Brochure & Event Area & Route Maps Here! Q: What if it rains?
A: The event is rain or shine and would only be canceled in the instance of severe weather that would compromise the safety of our guests. Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: No. There is no registration fee to participate. 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: Is the event/Walk kid-friendly?
A: Yes! The pre-event and Walk are both family-friendly, and we will have activities to keep you little ones entertained. The pre-walk event is mostly in a grassy field, which can be challenging with some strollers not designed to go "off-road.". While the route is paved and stroller-friendly, there may be unforeseen obstructions along the walk route beyond our control (ie: construction detours). Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Yes! Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome. We will also have some doggy accessories at our AFSP Swag tent so you pup can walk the walk in style. 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: 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 or needs assistance navigating the walk route. 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. They will have a dedicated tent located in the JFK Hockey Field (#13 on the Pre/Post-Walk Event Area Map) and you will be able to identify them by their purple t-shirts that say "Care Team." After the walk, Care Team members can be found in Area #1 on the Pre/Post-Walk Event Area Map (formerly Honor Beads pickup tent). |
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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: How do I make an offline donation?
A; To send a donation by check, please complete this Offline Donation Form and send it with your check to the address provided. You can also turn in offline funds raised or make a gift when you check in at the walk. 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 individual member must raise $150. 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: 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. Q: Will there be food/drink available?
A: Compass Coffee will be on-site providing free coffee to all registered walkers wearing an event wristband (wristbands provided to wall walkers at walker check-in and registration tents). 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. |
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Q: What if my group gets separated?
A: We advise guests to use the stage as a meet-up location and to alert the DJ to make an announcement over the sound system. Q: What is the Walk Route?
A: Due to ongoing construction around the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial, we have a new walk route this year! The walk is 2.0 mi, flat, and goes between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. See Walk Route w. Turn-by-Turn Directions. NEW! Q: Will there be restrooms on-site?
A: Yes! There will be on-site porta potties available for registered walkers and volunteers. Also, there are restrooms located inside of the Lincoln Memorial which are open to the general public. Q: Where do I go for First Aid?
A: A first aid kit can be found at the Volunteer Check-in tent. The National Park Police and DC Metro Fire & EMS will be on-site to provide first aid assistance. And, of course, if there is an emergency or you need immediate care while at the pre/post-walk event or out on the Walk Route, please dial 911. Q: Accessibility Info?
A: The pre-walk event venue and walk route are both wheelchair accessible. However, the pre-walk event is partly in a grassy field which could pose some accessibility challenges, especially if it has recently rained. Also, there may be unforeseen obstructions along the walk route beyond our control (ie: construction detours). See Walk Route w. Turn-by-Turn Directions. NEW!
We will have an ASL interpreter on the stage for the pre-walk Opening Ceremony and post-walk Closing Ceremony. Reserved seating for those with accessibility needs will be offered in front of the stage for the Opening & Closing Ceremonies. Walk Buddies will be available to help guide anyone who needs assistance navigating the walk route. Q: Where can I find more info about accessibility?
A: You can find info about venue accessibility on the NPS's Lincoln Memorial website. If you have any questions or requests concerning accessibility for this event, please contact D.C. Walk Chair Derek Kernus at Chair.DCWalk@gmail.com. Q: Who may I contact with questions?
A: AFSP-NCAC Special Events Manager Kelly Mahoney at kmahoney@afsp.org. |
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Day-of Experience: Resources & Activities
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! |
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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. |
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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 Extended: 10/12/2022 * Create a Luminaria to display during the Closing Ceremony * Add to the Honor & Remembrance Chain * Make a personalized "I'm Walking For" button |
Thank You to our NCAC Out of the Darkness Presenting Sponsor!
Thank You to our D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Lifesaver Sponsor!
Register by clicking the button at the top of the page
Thank you participants, volunteers, donors, and sponsors for your support! Together, we can save lives and bring hope.
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741-741
