Samaritans' Snapshot: Raising Hope

In This Issue:

How Will You Make a Difference: HopeRaisers

Over the years, we have been so proud of the creativity and initiative shown by those who fundraise independently for Samaritans. We're making it a little easier for those interested in independent fundraising by creating HopeRaisers. Whether you are taking part in an athletic event on your own, hosting a fundraiser, creating a free-standing page in memory of your loved one lost to suicide or in honor of a milestone, you can create a HopeRaiser to fundraise and spread awareness about Samaritans.

Sean and Susanna

Sean McQuarrie and Susanna Crowell, who met as helpline volunteers back in 2012 and got married this past weekend! In honor of their unique "how we met" story, Sean and Susanna donated $7.11 in honor of each guest at their wedding in lieu of favors, and encouraged their well-wishers to celebrate their good fortune by joining them in supporting Samaritans. Read more about Sean and Susanna and view an example of a HopeRaiser here.

Interested in running the B.A.A. Half Marathon?
Samaritans' Board member Samantha Joseph is putting together a HopeRaiser page to raise funds and awareness for Samaritans' for the B.A.A. Half Marathon and forming a Samaritans' Team. Each team member will create a HopeRaiser page with their own fundraising goal. If you would like to participate in the B.A.A Half Marathon as a member of Team Samaritans on October 11, act fast! Registration opens at 10AM this morning and is closing tomorrow (Thursday, July 16) at 5PM - click here for more information on registering. If you are selected for the team and would like to join Team Samaritans, email us.

Spreading the Word: New 5K Team Captains Laney and Dani

We're so lucky to have people like Dani and Laney in our community. They have not

personally lost anyone close to them to suicide, but choose to spend their free time supporting those in need of a compassionate listener as volunteer Befrienders on the 24/7 helpline. After almost a year on the helpline, Dani and Laney decided to start a 5K team to help spread the word about Samaritans' and get some of their friends and family involved in the organization they have come to feel so passionately about.

Dani (left) and Laney

"I'm really looking forward to the 5K, it's going to be great to be with a community of people who really care about preventing suicide and are willing to talk about it." said Dani in discussion with Samaritans' Development Manager, Eve Rabinowitz and her co-captain Laney, who added "It's really exciting to get friends and family involved so that they can see what we have been involved with for a year."

Since beginning their phone shifts in September, both have become more passionate about mental health and suicide prevention. Finishing their second year at Northeastern, the helpline has shaped their professional goals and opened their eyes to the importance of suicide prevention.

"Receiving negative reactions when people hear I volunteer on the helpline encourages me to do more to spread the word. Most people have been very positive though, and many have questions, including how to support people in their own lives who are feeling suicidal. Volunteering at Samaritans' has made me a much better communicator in general, and I've learned a lot more about my friends because I've learned more about how to talk to people, and how to be comfortable with silence." said Dani.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, Dani and Laney! To check on Laney and Dani's Team progress, click here. If you are new to the 5K and are passionate about your involvement, email us to be featured in our next snapshot! To register for the 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention taking place on September 26th in Artesani Park, click here.

Remembering My Brother: Returning 5K Team Captain Paige

After losing her brother Ryan in May of last year, Paige and her family were introduced to Samaritans. They learned more about Samaritans' mission, and Paige was inspired to get involved - immediately forming Run to Rymember. She reached out to family and friends who knew Ryan well, as she knew they'd be eager to be a part of such a great cause. Her family and community were more than ready to support her and her family, and help to keep Ryan's memory alive. She recalls both her shock and joy that her team raised over $15,000.

Does this look familiar? Paige's picture from last year's 5K is currently featured as the cover photo on our Facebook page!

Paige describes the importance the event already holds to her and her family. "The 5K means hope and gives us a sense of purpose after such an immense feeling of loss. It also helped me realize that there are others out there that unfortunately share this common thread with our family. It helps us to feel like we can help those in the future battling this awful disease and continue to honor and remember Ryan."

Paige knows the importance of engaging in conversations around suicide awareness and mental illness even if people may not know how to respond or may get uncomfortable. "I feel it's so important to continue to be open and honest about my passion behind this organization and not be shy to explain to people the reason for my passion. The more people talk about this illness the more we'll reduce the stigma and continue to educate and build an awareness around mental illness."

Paige's sister, Maggie, also joined the effort as Samaritans' Special Events Intern this summer. To check on Team Run to Rymember's progress, click here. If you are new to the 5K and are passionate about your involvement, email us to be featured in our next snapshot! To register for the 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention taking place on September 26th in Artesani Park, click here.

5K Sponsorship Opportunities

With the 5K fast approaching, we are seeking corporate sponsors to help Samaritans save lives. We are all a part of Samaritans' community because suicide prevention is important to us - and we need your help to provide our services free of charge.

You can help Samaritans' by approaching your employer or businesses your frequent about corporate sponsorship. If you are participating in the 5K and are able to secure a corporate gift of $1,000 or more, the donation will go towards your fundraising efforts while the business will be recognized on the event t-shirt, receive complementary entries, and have the opportunity to distribute product samples - the same benefits as all of our other corporate sponsors. With one donation, you'll earn your Samaritans' sweatshirt!

Click here to read more about the corporate sponsorship opportunities for this year's 5K, and click here to read more about why supporting suicide prevention is a smart business move. If you would rather put us in touch with someone you know to discuss corporate sponsorship, or to learn more, email us.

Out and About

Community Education & Outreach visited Billerica High School for a full day of "How To Help a Friend" workshops for 9th and 10th graders. This was the first time this school has had a professional suicide education training workshop in their classrooms. Samaritans was so pleased to provide this youth workshop for them and will be back next year to train the teachers. Our "Supporting Our Youth" workshop is provided by Lauren Gablinske and available for all faculty and staff of the Commonwealth schools. You can find out more about it here or contact Lauren.

Meet Our Newest Samaritans

Please welcome Alice Kokodis, the newest member of our Board of Directors!

Alice Kokodis

Alice works in employment counsel as a member of Locke Lord LLP in Boston, has recently joined Samaritans' Board of Directors after eight years as a member of Samaritans' Human Resources Committee. Alice holds a B.A. and a M.P.H from Boston University and received her J.D from Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination Certified Train-the-Trainer Program for Preventing Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace and a member of her firm's Diversity and Inclusion Committee. At Locke Lord, Alice advises and counsels senior management and human resources personnel at national companies on employment issues, recommends strategies to mitigate risk that also satisfy her clients' business and operational needs and litigates employment-related lawsuits in federal and state courts and at administrative agencies in many different jurisdictions. She is delighted to be joining the Board, and looks forward to working with her fellow board members to further Samaritans' mission.

Upcoming Fundraiser

Join team captain Marty at Home Plate to raise fund's in memory of her husband, Philip, and her 5K team Philip25 - August 18th at 4PM, 1094 Bay Street, Taunton MA

Hosting a fundraiser for Samaritans? Email us to include it in our next snapshot.

Open Positions

Interested in preventing suicide as a Samaritans' staff member or intern? We are currently accepting applications for: