Salem-Roanoke Walk

Join us on October 7, 2023

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Welcome to the Out of the Darkness

Salem-Roanoke Walk  

10/07/2023

Location: Roanoke College - Cregger Center, Roanoke

Check-in Begins: 9:00 am, Opening Ceremony: 10:00 am

Contact Information

Emily Bacalis (Special Events Manager), ebacalis@afsp.org, (202) 839-2174
 

PLEASE JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP FOR EVENT UPDATES.

 

Day-of Information: Resources & Activities

Community Resources

Take time beginning at 9AM to visit our community resource partners.  Community resource tables will be located throughout the event space and will staffed with representatives from each organization who are ready to share information and answer questions.  Their purpose is to provide resources to enhance the health and well-being of our walkers.

 

  

Honor Beads

Honor Beads will be available free of charge on-site beginning at 9:00 AM.  We invite you to pick up the appropriate color beads to show your connection(s) to the cause.

Our opening program at 10:00 AM will include a bead ceremony, which will recognize our participants' many reasons to walk and highlight the individual journey of selected individuals who represent each of these connections.

 

  
Hope & Healing

Remember to bring a new pair of socks that reminds you of your loved one!  Cards will be available for you to write your loved one's name and socks will be donated to local agencies following the event in their honor.
AFSP Merchandise

Stop by the AFSP Store for merchandise:
Adult T-Shirts - $20
Youth T-Shirts - $15
PopSockets - $10
Shaker Bottle - $8
Car Magnet - $5
Available while supplies last.

 

  
Parking & Walk Route Info

Opening and closing ceremonies, resources, and the start of the walk will be outdoors in front of Cregger Center. 

The walk route is 3.3km in length.

Click here for campus parking information.  Visitor parking is available in lots P10 and P7.

 

  
Schedule

9:00 - 10:00 - Registration/Check In (registration, check-in, honor beads, resource tables, activities)
10:00 - Opening Ceremony
10:30 - Walk Begins
12:00 - Event Concludes
 

 

We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 7th to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.  We have some updates/reminders about the event:

 

  • IMPORTANT - Please bring a filled water bottle with you to the event.  
     
  • Pre-registered walkers do not need to check-in at registration.  If you have raised the $150 and earned an official walk t-shirt, please stop at our event T-shirt table adjacent to registration to pick up your shirt.  You will also be able to turn in cash and check donations at registration.  
     
  • Be sure to take part in our honor & remembrance activities, located in the main event area.  A variety of activities will be available for you to honor or remember your loved one and reason to walk.
     
  • We walk rain or shine.  In the event of heavy rain, the event will move indoors, but please come dressed prepared for the weather.
     
  • Dogs are allowed outside at Cregger Center.  Please come prepared to clean up after your pet.  Pets may not enter the building for any reason.
     
  • A limited selection of merchandise will be available for purchase on walk day.  Credit cards and cash will be accepted.  No checks for merchandise, please.
     
  • Bring a new pair of socks that reminds you of your loved one for our honor/remembrance activity.  Cards will be available for you to write your loved one's name and socks will be donated to local agencies following the event in their honor.

Registration will begin at 9am with time to visit our community partner tables, get your honor beads, Why I Walk Buttons, etc.  The opening ceremony will begin at 10AM with the walk immediately following.  The walk route length is 3.3km/2.1mi.

 

 

 

Ways You Can Help

Download the App

     

There's now an app to make it even easier to raise funds and receive updates.  Click the App Store or Google Play button above to get started.

 

 
  
Earn a T-Shirt

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.  

  
Use Social Media

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) 

 

Upcoming AFSP Virginia Events

All programs listed in this section are free to attend and open to the public.  Registration may be required.  View a complete list of upcoming events and programs on our Virginia Chapter Website or our Facebook Events tab.  Thank you to our walkers and supporters for making these programs possible!

Virtual Program
     

Introduction to Supporting Those At Risk is designed to provide information and resources on how to support someone in your life with lived experience. (experience with suicidal thoughts and/or a past suicide attempt).  Please register at least 30 minutes in advance.

 
  
Virtual Program

Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe.  Please register at least 30 minutes in advance.

  
In Person Program

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience.  Non-loss survivors may also attend.  Register here.

 

FAQs

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

How long is the walk?
The walk route out and back is 3.3km/2.1mi total length.

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!

Having trouble registering?  Click here to watch a step-by-step guide.

  

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

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 (outside of Cregger Center). Please come prepared to clean up after your pet.

  

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.

What happens if the weather is bad on walk day?  We walk rain or shine.  In the event of heavy rain, we will move inside (no dogs allowed inside), but please come dressed appropriately for the weather.

For additional questions, please email 

ebacalis@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.

 

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, dial 988 or text TALK to 741-741