Event to remember suicide victims and to prevent suicide in the future
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HURON — “Suicide is not prejudiced, it doesn’t pick on any one person, family, gender, race, nothing,” said Angela Drake, the board chair of the American Foundation for Suicide and Prevention for South Dakota. “It doesn’t care, it effects everyone, whether you lost somebody directly or touched somebody.... the ripple effect is huge.”
A snapshot of that ripple was in evidence Saturday morning, as approximately 120 people took part in the second “Out of the Darkness” suicide awareness walk and fundraiser, held at Campbell Park in downtown Huron. The walk mirrored similar activities taking place in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls. People from all parts of life were on hand, for many different reasons - from honoring a friend or loved one to being supportive of a family or just to offer a helping hand to someone who is suffering.
“I walk for three people I know; Tony and JoAnn Smith’s kids, Alex and Aaron, and a fellow co-worker at NAPA, Brian Swanda,” said Joe Turner. “This is my second year attending the walk. Last year I walked three miles, one for each person, and will do the same this year.”
Joann Smith of Huron said when she lost her boys, she thought it was only her family that felt the pain.
“Then I began visiting with Angela Drake and people started contacting us. We were so saddened by how many people there are just in Huron that are just like me, and it touched me in some way.”