Dear Friend-

Thank you for coming out on a rather cold and misty May morning to support I Need A Lighthouse, Inc. at the 2012 Beacon of Hope Run/Walk.  We were thrilled to have 520 participants in this year’s race, raising over $20,000 to support Lighthouse’s educational efforts in our community. 

Race results are now available online at www.ineedalighthouse.org (click “2012 Race Results” under the Beacon of Hope 5k tab).  Race Pictures are online on our Facebook page and will soon be on our website as well at www.ineedalighthouse.org.   

What brought 520 people out on a misty May morning? Why does the Beacon of Hope continue to grow?  It is because suicide and depression have touched too many of us.  We are ready to stand and speak out about this “silent epidemic” that robs us of loved ones.  Each year the Beacon of Hope provides a venue for us to come together to say that THERE IS HOPE.  THERE IS HELP.   

I am often asked, “do you ever see the long-term impact Lighthouse has on students?  Then answer is YES.  This year we visited a High School to speak with the 9th grade students.  As we prepared for our talk, a tall young man approached us and asked, “Hello, do you remember me?”  Kathy immediately remembered him as a student we spoke with four years ago after giving a talk at the same school.  He shared with us that when he heard the talk; he had been in a very difficult place.  He lost a sibling, and was feeling very alone and depressed.  He considered suicide.  The Lighthouse presentation came at just the right moment for him and he reached out for help.  Today, he is a leader in his class and mentors younger students by sharing his story and inspiring them to reach out if they are struggling.

Another student sent Kathy an email about her experience with Lighthouse:

“…I still remember when you came to my health class my freshman year to speak to us, and later that year, you gave me help when I needed it. I had reached an all-time low for me, and I felt really alone, but I found your card and decided to see if there really were people out there who were willing to help complete strangers for no personal gain for themselves, and emailing you has probably been the best thing I've ever done, because I was able to get the help I need, and here I am today.

Thank you for being part of the team who reaches out to teens and young adults in our community.  Together we can spread a message of hope and save young lives.  We truly believe that education plus awareness equals prevention.

With Thanks,

Kate Cardone, LCSW

Deputy Executive Director, I Need A Lighthouse, Inc.

Race Director, Beacon of Hope

P.S. Below are coupons for Final Kick Sports.  Use the coupon for a discount, and a donation goes to INAL.