In This Issue
A note from Roberta
Be part of the solution: Register
Part of the solution: Serve
 
New Blog Posts
  
samaritans blogSamaritans is using the occasion of our 15th Annual 5K Run/Walk to launch our new blog, "Samaritans Stories." Currently featuring stories of why people choose to run or walk our 5K, our goal is to build our community by sharing our stories of hope and healing.
  

 

Join Us in 2013!
  
September 17th, 18th, & 19th
Look for us at Fenway Park as we celebrate the power of human connection with Red Sox Nation!
  
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Saturday, September 28th
A great day to be alive!
Early registration discount until September 18th!

 

  
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Samaritans
41 West St., 4th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

[email protected]
617-536-2460
  
Roberta Hurtig

Yesterday, during our 39th year of operation, we celebrated the 39th World Suicide Prevention Day. We supported the national "Take 5 to Save Lives" campaign as well as the global candlelight vigil at 8pm, and nationwide efforts to emphasize the importance of being a part of the solution to suicide prevention. Since the new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention was released one year ago, we have made great strides toward a greater public conversation on this issue that has been marked by stigma for so long. Personally, when I think back over how far the suicide prevention community has come during my 11 year tenure at Samaritans, yesterday was a great day to be alive!

 

I hope I see you later this month at our 15th annual 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Festival -another day to celebrate life. If you are not able to join us, I hope you will consider renewing your support of Samaritans by sponsoring one of our inspiring teams, or individual participants.

 

It is easy to make a donation in support of a team by browsing their incredible team pages on our 5K website, or to make a general donation by clicking here to access our secure online donation webpage or mail a check made out to "Samaritans, Inc." to our main office at 41 West Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02111. The call your donation makes possible may be the call that saves a life. Thank you.


Roberta's signature  

Roberta Hurtig, Executive Director

Be part of the solution - Register today!

"I had no idea what Mike was going through. Although he told me some things about his family and how he missed how close he and his friends used to be; he never gave me reason to doubt his happiness...until the day I got a phone call from a mutual friend of ours telling me he was no longer with us. After hearing this horrifically shocking news, my close friend, Tom, told me about a race he runs for his brother who he lost to suicide. As soon as he told me about the Samaritans 5K, I was googling it. Once I registered, the Samaritans called me to check-in and hear my story.

  

I run to carry on the life and light that Mike gave us every time we were with him. It's important to carry that on, and share with others how wonderful he was, how this guy could really walk into a room and demand happiness from everyone. And now that is what my team does because we carry on his torch together."  

Heidi Stavris,

Team Captain, Memories for Mike E.

 

Samaritans' 5K Run/Walk and Family Festival is an amazing day of celebration and hope that is a cornerstone of Samaritans' community. Each year thousands of people come to enjoy the day, remember loved ones, and do something positive to prevent suicide. This year the 15th annual 5K will be held Saturday, September 28th at Artesani Park in Brighton. You can learn more about the 5K, and other teams here. We hope you will join us. 
 
Please contact 5K Event Director, Garrett Owen, with any questions about the 5K.

run or walk button 

 

Volunteer 5K

Part of the solution: Serving for suicide prevention
Samaritans is delighted to launch another year of service across our programs through our internship opportunities and our partnership with the Massachusetts Service Alliance as a part of their Commonwealth Corps program. These important service roles help Samaritans to increase our capacity to serve more people in need. Please help us welcome:  
  

Lynda WallackLynda Wallack is our Commonwealth Corps member serving with Kelley Cunningham to increase the impact that we will have in our Community Education and Outreach Program this year. 

 

Mike fitzgeralsMike Fitzgerald is interning in Community Education and Outreach and Grief Support Services this year. He is a senior at Fitchburg State University and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology degree upon the completion of his internship with Samaritans in December.

 

MeridanMeridan Ritchie is our Commonwealth Corps member serving with Debbie DiMais in the Grief Support Services program. Meridan is currently a junior at Wheelock College, majoring in Human Development and Psychology.

  

We are so excited to have such wonderful additions to our team as we continue to reach more people with important training about suicide prevention and support when they have been impacted by a loss to suicide.