I know this isn't totally appropriate, but I am shameless.

I serve on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of the American Suicide Prevention. We are having a walk at Como Park on October 14, 2012. We would of course love to have everyone come to the walk, but we are also supported by donations. For anyone who has been affected by suicide (and really everyone has in some way), the organization prides itself on research and prevention. 

We as an organization truly appreciate all donations we receive, and I would be eternally gracious for anything you are willing to give. The donation page is linked below. Also, if you are in Minnesota and have any interest in walking, volunteering, getting involved in some other way, or just want information about the organization, please let me know.  

http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=324340

For those who have taken the time to read this, I really appreciate it!

Isaac

God bless, Isack. Last week a family at my church experienced a suicide when their schizophrenic son just couldn't take it any more. He was a wonderful man, but plagued by something that was not his fault.

What you do is honorable work- Hope the walk goes well.

That story is unfortunately all too common, caesari.

One of the biggest things we hope to accomplish is awareness.  I just don't think the average person understands how much mental illness plays a role in suicide.  Suicide is one of the highest causes of death in just about every demographic and it isn't relegated to people who are bullied or weak.  Our society treats it as taboo. We've had parents tell us that they don't want the school system addressing it for fear that their kids are more likely to commit suicide if they talk about the causes.  That's just nuts to me.  

Anyway, thanks for the kind words.  Hopefully I can positively contribute to our society in a way other than winning some HD conference championships.

Bump.  Sorry for the distraction, but I'm going to try to keep this on the front page until the walk until someone reports me and takes it down.

If this is taken down, that could be the greatest tragedy of the forums. Hope your fundraising goes well.

bump for ike.