We got this message from Steve Kleinrichert, father of Tyler Kleinrichert, who was a freshman at Walton High School when he took his own life in August 2017.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Georgia chapter is conducting a virtual walk fundraiser he says is $6,000 away from being the tops in the country, and is asking for support for the work of “Team Tyler.”
Tyler’s brother Ethan is the team captain of what’s called the Out of the Darkness Georgia Experience. Here’s Steve:
A week ago, we gathered at one of Tyler’s favorite spots—East Cobb Park—and had our own small walk. We were joined by several friends including both Luke and Hope comfort dogs and their ministry team who also brought us sandwiches.
Tyler’s friends wanted to walk—so we did. And, along the way our participants placed painted stones with messages of love and hope to share with those we don’t know. Awareness is a big deal and many stones were found, some documented on Facebook accounts of people in our community unaware of why they were placed there.
Our team was continuing in the process of helping others, while honoring Tyler’s story. We have been a top 15 fundraising team since starting, but the awareness and help goes well beyond how those funds help the cause to support the efforts to deter and stop suicide. There have been many families counseled and directed to resources as a direct result of Tyler’s Tribe. We know of at least two lives saved—from our team alone, many other potential changes that could represent even more lives.
Our Tyler’s Tribe Team has brought suicide prevention into the open with local and national politicians, schools, Boy Scouts Atlanta, and Veterans groups. We have helped to set up training sessions through AFSP on how to spot and work with someone who may be suffering—getting them to the right resources. The task is long , but we have made inroads and the work continues. Funds have helped to establish a 988 emergency number that will be properly staffed, helped to fund education and prevention programs, and have helped to spotlight after care resources for survivors and friends and family of those lost.
I don’t think Team Tyler will raise $6000 on its own—but we can reach deeper and make a small contribution that leads to long reaching solutions. AFSP is the largest organization in the country working on these issues and the charitable organization contributes a large percentage to the cause with less going toward administration—thanks in large part to strong volunteerism.
Please consider any sized donation to our team – $1, $5, $20, $50, $100, $500 ALL help!
All of the donations go to help AFSP’s work in Georgia.
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