Twin Cities Walk

Join us on September 17, 2023

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Welcome to the Out of the Darkness

Twin Cities Walk

09/17/2023

Event Details

Date: 09/17/2023

Location: Como Park Picnic Pavilion, 1199 Midway Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55103

Check-in Time: 9:00 am

Walk Start Time: 10:00 am

Contact Information

Walk Chair: Erik Arveseth, 612-568-6548, erik.arveseth@afspmn.org

We are aware that the Twin Cities Walk falls during Rosh Hashanah, and we apologize if this affects your ability to attend. The walk committee did all they could to have it on another day but were unable to secure another date. If you are unable to join us in person this year, you are welcome to register as a virtual participant and walk on your own to still be involved, or we’d love to have you join us at another one of our walks this year. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your dedication to help stop suicide.

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.

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!

Program Overview

Join Us Today

The Twin Cities Out of the Darkness Community Walk will be similar to 2022. We will be live and in person, but without a formal program. You will be able to begin the walk once you have checked in. There will always be a Virtual Walker option for folks that are not able to join us on walk day - check it out on the registration page at www.afsp.org/twincities.

Register Online

Please register online before walk day - this will keep crowding to a minimum and get you through check in much faster. For those that are unable to register in advance there will be QR codes placed around the event that will take you to a mobile friendly and simplified registration process. If you have checks or cash to bring on the day of the event, we will have a small station under the pavilion to collect those donations.

		2023 Walk Shirts will be available to pick up on Sunday for those that have raised $150 by the day of the walk.

You can arrive any time between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (event closes at 2:00 p.m.)

You can begin the walk at any time. Once you and your team have arrived and everyone is set, you can begin walking the three mile 2023 memorial rout around Lake Como. The path will be clearly marked and open from 9 a.m. and will begin closing after the last group departs (by 1 p.m.)

Route Map

No formal program. There will be no formal program from the stage. As always, free Memorial Beads will be available that day. We anticipate hosting a much more formal event program in 2024.

Resource Fair: There will be a resource fair with event related vendors and organizations as well as a family activity center and food trucks, including Minne-Scoop-ta ice cream, Sizzling Wagon and Thai Thai Street Food. We will also have some select ALL NEW AFSP branded merchandise for sale as well. Please join us before you walk and after for food, family fun and wonderful resources.

Parking and shuttles: Parking is at Block 56 (1660 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108) located less than one mile down the road from the pavilions.

Event Map		Parking Map

Shuttles will run in cycles between the parking lot and the pavilions beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. when the event closes.

Twin Cities Memorial Presentation and Trail Signs: We are no longer able to print signs for the 2023 walk and are no longer collecting submissions for the memorial slideshow. Please check back early 2024 for more opportunities. Thank you.

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 erik.arveseth@afspmn.org to sign-up today! Thank you!

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the Twin Cities Walk shows your community and employees that your business cares about mental health and preventing suicide. Contact erik.arveseth@afspmn.org to become a sponsor today!

Fundraise to Help #StopSuicide

$150+ - Raise $150 by 09/17/2023 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!

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.