Organizers thankful for support at benefit for suicide prevention awareness

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Seated from left, Chris Crane and Tammy Fearby chat with Joey Molisani while waiting for the start of the Fuller 155 benefit by the Watts/Fuller families to support suicide prevention causes. For a donation of any amount, people could write their loved ones name on a heart, which will be placed on a banner and carried in the Out of the Darkness walk on Saturday in Buffalo.

SHELBY – The Fuller 155 Suicide Prevention Basket Raffle/Walk Committee is extending a heartfelt thanks to the community for tremendous support of their annual fundraiser Sunday at Shelby Fire Hall.

Committee chair Ike Watts was overwhelmed with the generosity with which people throughout the area supported their efforts.

“Your support plays a meaningful role in helping us raise awareness, offer hope and provide essential resources to those affected by suicide and mental health struggles,” Watts said. “I am particularly grateful for my work family at Medina Central School. I received tremendous support from my co-workers.”

“Your kindness and generosity help us build a stronger, more compassionate community,” Watts said.

Walkers start out on the walk held for the first time this year during the annual suicide prevention fundraiser at Shelby Fire Hall.

A walk added for the first time this year brought 47 adult walkers and a crowd of children.

Jennifer Bansbach of Lyndonville signed up to walk in memory of three very dear people who succumbed to suicide, she said.

 “This is to support them, and besides it’s a beautiful day for a walk.”

The basket raffle had the most donations in the three years of the benefit – 242.

Early birds check out the more than 200 baskets donated for the Fuller 155 basket raffle/walk  to benefit suicide prevention Saturday at Shelby Fire Hall.

An added attraction was a trolley which Doug Bracey brought and gave rides to those unable to walk the route or pick up anyone who couldn’t finish.

“Everyone I spoke to said what a wonderful event this was and how happy they were to have come,” Watts said. “It was for a very meaningful cause.”

Another feature was a table where, for any donation, Chris Crane and Tammy Fearby sold hearts on which a loved one’s name or a message could be written. The circles were then glued on a banner which the Watts will carry in the Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday in Buffalo.

Chris and Anita Hughes, right, register Jennifer Bansbach of Lyndonville for the first walk held in conjunction with a suicide prevention benefit Sunday at Shelby Fire Hall.