Fundraiser on Sunday in Shelby backs American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

‘There is such a stigma attached to suicide and we want to break that’

Photo by Ginny Kropf: This team of friends is planning a basket raffle on Sunday at Shelby Fire Hall to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Seated are Rebecca Lacy and Tammy Fearby. Standing are team leaders Ike Watts and Christine Crane. The ladies are also walking in the Out of the Darkness Walk on Sept. 23 at Canalside in Buffalo. They will be walking in memory of an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy, a Medina firefighter, a Medina school teacher and a co-worker, all of whom died of suicide. The Sabres shirt and Bills helmet have been donated for the basket raffle.

MEDINA – A team of friends have joined forces to sponsor a fundraiser to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

On Sunday at Shelby Fire Hall, Ike Watts, Tammy Fearby, Rebecca Lacy and Christine Crane are planning a basket raffle in memory of an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy, a Medina firefighter, a Medina school teacher and a co-worker, who all died due to suicide.

The benefit, which will also include special raffles and a 50/50 drawing, will run from 8 a.m. to noon.

Also supporting the benefit will be the Medina High School FFA, led by Todd Eick. The group will be selling breakfast sandwiches beginning at 7 a.m. at the fire hall for drive-thru or eat-in.

All proceeds will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The benefit is a result of the Watts family losing a cousin to suicide in September 2015. Since then, they have participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk in Buffalo, this year held Sept. 23 at Canalside.

Watts will play a special part in the event this year, having been asked to participate in the bead ceremony which opens the walk. Ten individuals will wear beads, each of a color representing the loss of a loved one.

The colors include white for a child, red for a spouse or partner, gold for a parent, orange for a sibling, purple for a relative or friend, silver for a first responder or military, green for a personal struggle or attempt, teal for support of someone who struggles or has attempted suicide, blue for supporting suicide prevention and rainbow for the LGBTQ community.

Watts will wear silver in honor of Erin, a Sheriff’s deputy and veteran of the Gulf War; and for Kenny, a first responder.

She has also prepared a speech which will be read for her.

“Along with my family and friends, I walk in memory of three men, two of whom were first responders. Kenny, a village of Medina firefighter was as vibrant about life as you could ever imagine. He suffered a back injury on the job and struggled with getting any relief from the pain. In December 2012, at the age of 42, he died by suicide.

“Erin, a former U.S. Marine, a veteran of the Gulf War and also an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy, was a very strong willed man who was too proud to say he needed help with PTSD. In a matter of seconds he took his own life in September 2015 at the age of 45. Being first responders and members of the military, you often see things that are mentally challenging and difficult to forget. They are seen as an image of strength and it is sometimes difficult to let down the armor and ask for help. Statistics show that even with debriefings after each traumatic incident, 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions.

“As much as I wish I could have been there to help Kenny and Erin through their struggles, I stand here today representing them and their families with a promise to bring hope to others.

“My husband and daughter are first responders and they join me today in this walk to help raise awareness for suicide prevention, because sometimes first responders need rescuing, too.”

When the Watts walked in previous years, Ike said they raised $500, but only reached $1,000 once, so this year they wanted to do more.

“There is such a stigma attached to suicide and we want to break that,” she said. “The first year I walked in memory of Erin, I was angry, then wondered ‘why,’ then came the hurt and the heartbroken stage. As I walked all those feelings went away. I finally had my closure.”

Fundraising for suicide prevention often gets ignored and overlooked, she said. She hopes to help change that.

Their goal for the fundraiser on Sunday is 155 baskets, the number of Erin’s badge.

“If we get 129, I’ll be happy with that, because that was the number of Kenny’s shield,” Watts said.

The team is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support for the benefit, from donations and people who want to help.

Donations of baskets may be made by contacting Watts at (585) 590-0291, Fearby at (716) 239-0185, Lacy at (585) 750-4425 or Crane at (585) 590-2608.