September was National Suicide Prevention Month and Marshall County found a wonderful way to bring attention to how important this cause is. On September 27 at City Lake in Madill, Alliance Health hosted the second annual suicide prevention walk. With support from a couple hundred people form the community, three high school classes, emergency responders, volunteers and sponsors all joined together for a mission of prevention.
This event was to help spread hope and help for loved ones who may be struggling with mental health and share vital information to individuals and families who are affected by suicide. At this event, they provided a fun way to spread awareness, access resources and information that will help with this crisis that is plaguing the nation.
The path around Madill City Lake was used for a relay race challenge. The race for prevention had four stations along the path with different obstacles. The contestants had to put on heavy firefighter gear as the first obstacle.
Then, racers had to jump through hoops, hula hoops to be exact. Contestants performed jumping jacks, and then jumped rope before meeting the finish line.
This year, the fire fighters came in as the champions and they are the current belt holders until next year's September relay race for suicide prevention. This suicide prevention event also offered free food to everyone in attendance.
The event sponsors provided freshly cooked hot dogs, hamburgers and chips with all the fixings. Many Marshall County businesses chipped in for the event. They also had a volunteer DJ Donny Raley filling the ear with all the good jams.