Central MA Walk

Join us on September 10, 2023

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Welcome to the 2023 Central MA Out of the Darkness Community Walk!

09/10/2023

Register Now and be part of the movement to #StopSuicide.

Event Details
  • Date: SUNDAY, September 10th **World Suicide Prevention Day**
  • Location: Polar Park - Worcester, MA 
  • Check-in/Registration Time: 9:00 am on the DCU Plaza
  • Event Begins: 10:30 am
  • Parking: We encourage participants to use the Green Island Blvd parking garage located directly across from Polar Park. Click here for rates. (Participants may be able to find free or metered parking in the Canal District however we can’t guarantee availability on event day.)
  • Walk Route: 5K (3.1 miles) **details below**
  • Dog Friendly: Service dogs only, please

For more information, please contact:
Phone: 617-439-0940
Email: jvanderstad@afsp.org

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 afsp.org/get-help and afsp.org/resources.


 
JOIN US AT POLAR PARK!!

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, July 30th @ 1:05PM

Ticket link coming soon! AFSP will be honored as the Heart of Worcester at the WooSox game at Polar Park on Sunday, July 30th! $14 tickets on the Simply Orthodontics Berm and $28 First Base Field Box tickets will each contribute $5 to the Central MA Walk. Each ticket will also include $2 of ballpark credit that can be used on concessions or merchandise. PLUS... fans will have the opportunity to line the warning track and take photos with their favorite WooSox players before the game!

REGISTER NOW

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!

     

WALK FAQs

When and where is the event taking place?
The event is taking place on 09/10/2023 at Polar Park. Check-in and registration will be held on the DCU Plaza. Participants will then enter the pavilion for event activities and to watch the opening ceremony on the field.

Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no registration fee to participate. Donations are accepted until December 31st.

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 2023 Out of the Darkness Walk t-shirt!

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 set up my personal fundraising page?
If you need help logging into or setting up your fundraising page, click here for a step-by-step guide.

For additional questions, please email: jvanderstad@afsp.org

BECOME A SPONSOR

Your support will help bring our work to local communities while showing your customers and employees that you care about mental health and preventing suicide. Sponsor levels $1,000+ include a resource table at the Walk! Click here to download a sponsorship packet or contact us and we'll send you details.

SPREAD THE WORD

After you register, we encourage you to tell your story about why you support #AFSPMADownload our event flyer (coming soon) and share with your family and friends! Need printed materials? Complete our Walks Material Request Form!

Post to your Facebook page and add the Central MA Out of the Darkness Community Walk <www.afsp.org/centralma>, or the direct link to your fundraising page! Don't forget to mark yourself as "going" to the event on Facebook and invite your friends!

If you are on Twitter, Tweet about the event. Don’t forget to add #StopSuicide to your tweets!

Remember your LinkedIn connections!

Share your photos! #StopSuicide #AFSPMA

 
FUNDRAISE TO HELP #StopSuicide

​- Raise $150 by September 10th and receive an Out of the Darkness t-shirt!

​- Raise $1000 by September 10th and join the LIFESAVER CLUB!

Click here to see more AFSP swag you can earn!

And don't forget about all the ways you can FUNdraise!

**Donations can be made to a team as a whole,  but the above  incentives are based only on INDIVIDUAL fundraising.

TEAM INCENTIVES

Become a Team Captain

Team Central

EVENT ACTIVITIES

Enjoy all that the new ballpark has to offer PLUS stop by the AFSP Store for merchandise, pick-up your honor beads, create a #WhyIWalk sticker, and visit all of our community resources tables. Download and share your color(s) on social media.

VENUE DETAILS

We are excited to announce our return to Polar Park! We can't wait to partner with the Worcester Red Sox to host this year's Walk to Fight Suicide in the heart of Worcester. Event attendees will be able to tour the ballpark, have a chance to get out on the field and check out the beautiful view from the pavilion. Families can enjoy the children's area and take pictures with Smiley Ball, the WooSox mascot! HUNGRY? Polar Park's WooSox Market will be open for participants to purchase grab-and-go snacks!

ROUTE

The 5K walk begins and ends at the ballpark and showcases the Heart of the Commonwealth, including the Miss Worcester Diner, City Hall, the Mercantile Center, and the DCU Center. For those who would like a shorter option, they will be permitted to enjoy the Polar Park Warning Track (each lap is a quarter mile). Check out our event layout below (subject to change):

VOLUNTEER WITH US

Day-of Walk volunteers are always needed and we cannot be successful without them! Please register and select volunteering under "I would like to learn more"!

GET CONNECTED

The Out of the Darkness community is built on healing, love, hope and lasting friendships. After you register for this year's Walk, we invite you to join the Massachusetts Out of the Darkness Facebook Group. The group will allow you to share your story, meet participants from across the state, and get to know others before the day of the walk. We look forward to connecting with you!

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 988 or text TALK to 741-741.