Can't Spell Fundraising Without "Fun"!

One community. One day. Two causes. Two walks. This Sunday, on October 20th, there will be two walks for two meaningful causes: Suicide awareness and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. There are 129 suicides every day on average; In 2017, there were more than twice as many suicides as there were homicides in the U.S. Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. someone develops Alzheimer’s disease every 65 seconds in the U.S. Between 2000 and 2017, deaths from Alzheimer’s has increased 145%. Therefore, Columbia, MO is walking to raise awareness, raise money to help prevention, and support those who have been affected by suicide and Alzheimer’s. One of our own organizations here at Battle is taking action and raising money: Battle Volunteer Corps.

Every day during the week of 10/7, Battle Volunteer Corps has been selling Kindness Bracelets. The bracelets cost $1 each, and the money raised goes to the Out of Darkness Walk and Walk to End Alzheimer’s. They are selling four different types of bracelets each day at lunch.

They are also raising money with the BHS Charity Kickoff the Sunday of 10/13, from 12-6 p.m. at the Battle High School Football Field. The BHS Charity Kickoff is a kickball tournament between students and staff. Each player must pay a $5 registration fee, and you can have 7-9 players a team. There will be concessions and raffle tickets on sale for gift cards. Nine teams have already signed up for the tournament.

The Out of Darkness Walk is in fewer than ten days, and still reaching their goal of $50,000 for suicide prevention. The Out of Darkness Walk will take place at Stephen’s Lake on October 20. Registration/Check-in is at 11:00 a.m., the program starts at 1:30 p.m., and the walk officially starts at 2:00 p.m. So far, there’s already $35,640 overall raised for the walk by countless organizations.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s has already raised $85,894 all together with the help of countless people, teams, and sponsors, more than half of their goal of $160,000. This walk will be at Cosmopolitan park on the same day. Registration starts at 12:00 p.m., and the opening ceremony starts at 1:00 p.m.

Any help towards the victims of suicide and Alzheimer’s is important. This weekend, communities join together, mourning losses and fighting for a cure. There are many ways you can help, too. You can donate to the walks, volunteer, and donate!

For more information:

· Out of Darkness Walk

· Walk to End Alzheimer’s

· BHS Charity Kickoff

Kickball Tournament Trophy 2019

Sources:

· “Suicide Statistics.” AFSP, 16 Apr. 2019, afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/.

· “Suicide.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Apr. 2019, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml.

· “Facts and Figures.” Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures.