Pittsburgh Walk

Join us on September 9, 2023

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Welcome to the Out of the Darkness

Pittsburgh Walk  

09/09/2023

Event Details

Date: 09/09/2023

Location: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Check-in Time: 9:00 am

Walk Start Time: 10:30 am

Contact Information

Walk Chair: Jesse Putkoski (She/Her/Hers), 412-510-9514, jputkoski@afsp.org

Day of Details

See below for a map of the 2023 Walk Route

(Click on Map to enlarge)

Parking Information and Stadium Rules

As with last year, there will be a parking fee at the event. Due to changes in Highmark's policies, there will be a parking fee to park at the stadium. This will be paid directly to Highmark Stadium and parking in the Highmark Stadium lot is available on a first come, first serve basis. There is also paid parking available in the parking garage at Station Square.

Please note that no parking is permitted on W. Station Square Drive outside of the stadium. The street will be closed once the event starts for the walk route and cars parked here will be ticketed by Station Square properties.

Additionally, as a reminder, no food or drink other than water is permitted on the field, per Highmark Stadium's guidelines. We are encouraging everyone to bring their own, filled water bottles. Water will be available at certain points throughout the field and before at the start of the walk.

 


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 to Walk With Us!

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 watch 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!


 

Ways You Can Help

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 jputkoski@afsp.org to sign-up today! Thank you!

 

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the Pittsburgh Walk shows your community and employees that your business cares about mental health and preventing suicide. Download the sponsorship packet hereContact jputkoski@afsp.org with any questions.

 
Fundraise to Help #StopSuicide

$150+ - Raise $150 by 09/09/2023 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 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!

Download the Pittsburgh Walk flyer to share in the community here!

 
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) 

Team Opportunities

2023 Pittsburgh Team Challenge

We have 4 opportunities this year to get your team name on the 2023 Pittsburgh Walk shirt.

Team raises $1,000+ by April 30th
Team raises $1,500+ by May 31st
Team raises $2,000+ by June 30th
Team raises $3,000+ by July 31st

 

 
 
Get Your Team Name on a Walk Yard Sign! 

Teams that raise $2,000 or more by August 5th will get their team name, a picture, and a quote on a walk yard sign that will be placed along the walk route. Teams will be able to take their sign home with them after the walk!

*Funds must be raised by August 15th to get the team sign. There will be one sign given per team. Team photo and quote must be submitted by August 19th. If you raise the funds prior to August 15th, please send photo and quote as soon as possible to jputkoski@afsp.org

 

 
Top Pittsburgh Team Area

Teams that raise $5,000 or more by August 15th will be given access to our Top Pittsburgh Team area at the stadium! This will include exclusive access to pre-ceremony breakfast foods, breakfast refreshments, indoor bathrooms and seating, as well as AFSP SWAG bags.

*Due to capacity restrictions, there will be a maximum number of team members per team allowed in the space. More info on this will be available closer to walk day.

 

FAQs

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? Dogs are not permitted in the stadium, but leashes dogs are permitted along the walk route.

 

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

For additional questions, please email jputkoski@afsp.org

 

Day-of Experience: Resources & Activities

On-Site Activities

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

 
Honor Beads

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

 
Hope & Healing

This year, we will have a Loss and Healing tent with activities for remembrance and hope.


 

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, dial 988 or text TALK to 741-741