Volunteer at the Event

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

Send an email to afspstlouiswalk@gmail.com to sign-up today! Thank you!

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the St. Louis Walk shows your community and employees that your business cares about mental health and preventing suicide. Contact afspstlouiswalk@gmail.com to become a sponsor today!

Fundraise to Help #StopSuicide

$150+ - Raise $150 by 09/24/2023 and receive the official Out of the Darkness Walk t-shirt!   _{* Donations can be made to a team as a whole,  but the T-shirt, VIP card, and other incentives are based only on INDIVIDUAL fundraising.}  

$1,000+ - Raise $1,000 by 09/24/2023 and receive the VIP WALKER STAR FUNDRAISER CARD and lanyard!   _{* Donations can be made to a team as a whole, but the T-shirt, VIP card, and other incentives are based only on INDIVIDUAL fundraising.}  

Promote the Walk in Your Community! 

Follow us on social! @OOTDWalks 

Post on your social accounts and share why you walk with your community!

Display a Yard Sign advertising the St. louis walk at your home or business. Email Phyllis Blackwelder at afspstlouiswalk@gmail.com to request one or more. No longer available.

Team Corner

Become a Team Captain

Team Central

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) 

What is the format for Walk day?
Walk at your leisure from 9:30AM until 2:00PM!

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

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

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

Is there a fundraising minimum?
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!

Can I register at the Walk? Yes!  You can register in-person at the Walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Walk donations are accepted until December 31st.

Are dogs allowed? Yes! Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome at the walk.

Bring your furry friend to the Paws for Prevention tent, register you pup and receive 1 raffle ticket for the Purina Basket, a doggie bandana and a collapsible water bowl. Visit with the volunteers and their dogs from Dogs on Duty Therapy Dogs

Parking, route, and other info will be updated as we get closer to Walk Day.

For additional questions, please email afspstlouiswalk@gmail.com

On-Site Activities

Stop by the AFSP Store for merchandise, visit the photo booth, and more!

"Why We Walk" Photos

Send your loved one's photo for our NEW "Why We Walk" digital photo display.

Every year, at our AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk, we have photographs of our loved ones on display. New this year - our loved ones' photos will be displayed digitally on a large screen.

Because our walk attendance has grown (and keeps growing each year), if I have created a poster for your loved one for a previous walk, please let me know that you would like it used again. I will not be redesigning past posters/collages. If you are new to the walk and would like to have a photograph of your loved one included at this year’s walk, please email a photo and put "Walk Photo" in the subject line, and include in the body of the email the person's name, and any brief message you'd like displayed with the photo to Sue at:  afspwalkpics@gmail.com

Photo file type should be jpeg and a high enough resolution that it can be enlarged without getting grainy. If you would like, you can send more than one photo, and I will design a collage. 

When you send your photo, you will receive a reply from me stating that I received it. If you don't receive a reply within 3 days, please resend. Deadline to submit photo(s) is Sept. 17, 2023, but earlier is always appreciated!

Honor Beads

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

Honor Bead Ceremony Participants

We are looking for volunteers to represent one of the 10 honor bead colors for our Honor Bead Ceremony taking place at Noon during the walk.

White - Loss of a Child
Red - Loss of a Spouse or Partner
Gold - Loss of a Parent
Orange - Loss of a Sibling
Purple - Loss of a Relative or Friend
Silver - Loss of a First Responder
Green - A Personal Struggle or Attempt
Teal - Supporting Someone Who Struggles or has Attempted
Blue - Supporting Suicide Prevention
Rainbow - Honoring LGBTQ+IA Community

If interested, please contact Phyllis Blackwelder at afspstlouiswalk@gmail.com

I'm Walking for Buttons

Don't forget to pick up your I'm Walking for Button. You'll find them near the Honor Beads.

Hope & Healing

Share messages of hope and remembrance.

Messages of Hope and Healing

Write messages of Hope and Healing on the NEW Why We Walk walls located across the walking path.

Are you in need of a bit of comfort during the event? Visit our Comfort Station and have a chat with our Comfort Volunteer.

ALUMNI BUTTONS

NEW THIS YEAR! If you have been participating in the St. Louis walk for multiple years, stop by the registration desk to grab your Alumni Button.

Children's Activities

Bring your child(ren) to the children's activity area. There will be lots of fun stuff to do there.

Facepainting
Rock painting
Coloring pages
Ring Toss
Ladder Toss
Cornhole
Giant Pong
Giant Jenga
Sensory Bins