Greater Baton Rouge Walk

Join us on October 7, 2023

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Welcome to the Out of the Darkness

Greater Baton Rouge Walk  

10/07/2023

Scroll down for event info including parking, activities, and more! 

Click here to avoid the lines on walk day by pre-registering! 

Event Details

Date: 10/07/2023

Location: Pennington Biomedical Center, Baton Rouge, LA
6400 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 
Click here for Google Map directions 

Activities & Check-in Time: 9:00 am

Opening Ceremony Start Time: 10:00 am

Contact Information

Walk Staff: Carley Dolezal (She/Her), 409-920-3991, cdolezal@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 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!


Important Event Info

Registration: Already registered online? You can skip the registration tent and enjoy the event! To help streamline events, please encourage your team to register online before the event. Onsite registration will be available. 

Directions to venue: Pennington Center is located at 6400 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA. 

From I-10 Westbound: Follow I-10 W to LA-3064/Essen Ln in East Baton Rouge Parish. Take exit 160 from I-10 W. Continue on LA-3064/Essen Ln. Take right on Perkins Rd to Pennington Center (center will be on left side). Click here for Google Map directions from Prairieville/Gonzales area. 

From I-10 Eastbound: Follow I-10 E towards New Orleans. Take exit 157A for Perkins Rd. Keep left at fork in road and continue to Perkins Rd. Turn left on Perkins Rd. Center will be on right side. Click here for Google Map directors from Downtown Baton Rouge area. 

Parking: Free parking is available at Pennington Center. Please enter off of Perkins Drive (see map below). 

     

 

Schedule of Events 

*Schedule of events may be subject to change
Registration, Activities, and Fun starting at 9:00 am!
9:00 am - 9:10 am: Performance by Soul to Sole Studios
9:20 am - 9:30 am: Meditation Activity
9:30 am - 9:55 am: Body Sculpt Barre Studio Walk Warm-up
9:55 am - 10:00 am: Performance by the BeignYAYS dance troupe
9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Rock Painting @ Kid's tent!
 
Opening Ceremony 10:00 am
Walk to follow!
 
Closing Ceremony
Closing ceremony to follow walk. Make sure to stick around for the announcement of silent auction winners!
 
After the closing ceremony, Team Rain Will Bring Flowers is hosting a tailgate for the LSU game! Bring a chair and join the fun! 
 

Day-of Experience: Resources & Activities

On-Site Activities

Kid's Activities and Rock Painting 
Silent Auction
Music by DJ Koolaid
AFSP Store 
Therapy Dogs
Barre Warm-up 
Guided meditation
Performances by Baton Rouge's Ben-Yays Marching Krewe!
Tai Chi Demonstration
AFSP Resources
Community Resources

Post Walk:
Live stream of
LSU v. Missouri game!
Free food, drinks, and more! 

 
Honor Beads

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

The Out of the Darkness Walks are journeys of remembrance and events that unite a community – a time to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental illness have affected our lives and our loved ones. We all wear honor beads - each color shows our personal connection to the cause, and helps us identify others who understand our experience.

 
Hope & Healing

Share messages of hope and remembrance.

Visit our Loss & Healing Tent to learn more about AFSP's Loss & Healing resources: 
Healing Conversations
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Days
Loss Resources & Tool-kits
Self-care Tips
Digital Memory Quilt 

Trained volunteers will be onsite to support loss survivors. 

 

 

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

 

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the Greater Baton Rouge Walk shows your community and employees that your business cares about mental health and preventing suicide. Download the sponsorship packet here. Contact cdolezal@afsp.org with any questions!

 
Fundraise to Help #StopSuicide

$150+ - Raise $150 by 10/07/2023 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!

 
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) 

 

 

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? Yes! Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome at the walk. We kindly ask that you pick-up after your pet! 

 

Parking: Free Parking is available onsite. Volunteers will be stationed around the venue to greet you and direct drivers to designated parking areas. 

For additional questions, please email cdolezal@afsp.org

 

 

 

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