Hermitage Hill Farm & Stables has stepped up to be a major sponsor of the upcoming Greater Augusta Out of the Darkness Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention donating $1,000 and being honored as a platinum sponsor.
“With Suicide Prevention Month and Week right around the corner, we wanted to step in to do something,” said Craig Nargi, owner of Hermitage Hill Farms. “Everyone knows someone who has been touched by mental illness or suicide, and that includes me, and it seems to me that if we can contribute in any way to saving a single life by supporting this walk, then we are supporting an effort that is worthwhile.”
National Suicide Prevention Week runs September 5-11. National Recovery Month and National Suicide Awareness Month takes place in September. The Greater Augusta Out of the Darkness Walk is on October 8.
“When people work together, they can make big changes in the world,” said Crystal Graham, AFSP Virginia Chapter Secretary and co-chair of the 2016 walk. “Because of businesses like Hermitage Hill Farm and Stables, and Craig and Nikki Nargi, we will be able to create a community that is smart about mental health and unite those who have been affected by suicide.”
Monies raised in the Out of the Darkness walks help fund lifesaving training for the entire region, support groups, a local Survivors of Suicide Loss Day and other programs and training to help make the Greater Augusta area a suicide-safe community.
“Suicide prevention starts with everyday heroes like the Nargis,” said Graham. “We are extremely thankful for their support of our walk and our efforts to create a culture that will reduce the stigma of mental health and ultimately save lives.”
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.
The walk is being held at Gypsy HIll Park in Staunton on October 8 at 10 a.m. For more information on the walk, visit www.afsp.org/walk