District 202 to sponsor 5K run/walk for suicide prevention
The prevention committees from all three high schools in Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 will sponsor the fourth annual Yellow Ribbon Program 5K Run/Walk for suicide prevention on Sunday, September 17, at Hammel Woods, which is part of the Forest Preserve District of Will County.
The event, which is slated to begin at 9 a.m., will benefit the District 202 Yellow Ribbon Program, which enables adolescents to seek help when they have feelings of hopelessness, desperation or despair. The event is geared toward creating awareness within District 202, its schools and surrounding communities that help is available for those who are having thoughts of suicide, which is the third-leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States.
The Yellow Ribbon Program, used worldwide to promote suicide awareness, was established in 1994 by Dale and Dar Emme after their son took his own life. The Emmes began to share their tragic story in their community to try to prevent others from having to deal with a similar loss, and their message began to spread across the country, and eventually, around the world.
District 202 social workers will visit freshman classes the week prior to the event to explain the Yellow Ribbon Program and to distribute “Yellow Ribbon Cards,” which detail how it’s always okay to ‘Ask4Help.’ Students will be encouraged to keep the cards and discuss them with anyone with whom they feel comfortable.
The entry fee for the 5K Run/Walk is $12 for adults and $8 for students, and includes a t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded in five age categories. Hammel Woods is located east of the intersection of Black Road and Route 59 in Shorewood.
For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program 5K Run/Walk, or to obtain an entry form, contact Plainfield South social workers Josh Bloodgood at (815) 577-5515 or Gil Watson at (815) 577-5553.
For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program, visit the official site at www.yellowribbon.org.
