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Community HOPE presents donations to five organizations

From left are Dylan Hagerty, chairman of Community HOPE; Terrie Hohol, co-chairwoman of A Servant’s Heart Pantry; and Carol Waitrovich, coordinator of A Servant’s Heart Pantry and chairwoman of Community HOPE.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Community HOPE for Suicide Prevention has been hosting an annual event for 10 years through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“Each year we have held a walk and event for those who enjoyed getting together in honor of our loved ones we lost to suicide, those who struggle with mental health illness and to make awareness by educating many on the warning signs and what to watch for when someone is contemplating a suicide,” said Carole Waitrovich of Community HOPE.

Tina Tappy and Diane Kallenbach were the founders of the original Dickinson County Out of the Darkness Community Walk in 2009. Waitrovich has been a volunteer since 2009 and became chairwoman in 2011 when the name was changed to Community HOPE for Suicide Prevention. In 2018, Dylan Hagerty joined as chairman with Waitrovich and also has volunteered for 10 years.

The name change was to reach not only Dickinson County but surrounding counties as well.

During the past 10 years, many volunteers have come together to make the event possible and to help raise awareness.

From left are Jonah Waitrovich of Community HOPE; Yvonne Clark, secretary of Light at the Inn rotating homeless shelter; Dylan Hagerty, chairman of Community HOPE; the Rev. Geri Hamlen, chairwoman of Light at the Inn; and Bonnie Pelto, co-chairwoman of Light at the Inn.

“We can’t thank them enough for all their hard work and dedication,” Waitrovich said. “This event also was a wonderful way to cope easier with losing loved ones to suicide. Each year it was nice to get together with others who shared the grieving process of losing a loved one to suicide or for those who live with mental health illness. It is with much regret and sorrow to say that Community HOPE for Suicide Prevention will no longer be holding an annual event.”

Money raised from the 2018 walk/event will be divided among five groups.

— Forever Friendship Drop-In Center of Kingsford, directed by Patrick Flynn, received $500. They offer a drop-in place as a safe, non-stigmatic setting to share with those dealing with mental health issues.

— Caring House in Iron Mountain, directed by Cheryl O’Neil, received $500. Their mission is to provide support in the Dickinson County area through the cooperative efforts of an interfaith coalition by offering a safe emergency shelter with meals throughout the winter months.

— Light at the Inn rotating shelter for the homeless in Iron Mountain, directed by the Rev. Geri Hamlen, received $350.

From left, are Mark Massey, director of Victory Academy for Boys; Dylan Hagerty, chairman of Community HOPE; Aaron Brewster, counselor at Victory Academy; and Carole Waitrovich, chairwoman of Community HOPE.

— Victory Academy for Boys in Amberg, Wis., received $350. This Christian residential therapeutic boarding school provides counseling care for teens struggling with the challenges and difficulties of life. They have been working with teens on Christian character and academic excellence since 1983.

— A Servant’s Heart Pantry in Pembine, Wis., received $1,500. Their mission is to provide food and clothing for those in need in area communities. This donation went toward 20 Christmas dinner baskets, toys and filled stockings for families and children in need.

“We feel this is a wonderful way to distribute the funds back into our communities,” Hagerty said. “Carole and I met with all five of the organizations and we are very pleased to know that these funds will reach many people in our communities in many different ways.”

From left are Amy Hall of Forever Friendship Drop-in Center; Jonah Waitrovich, volunteer for Community HOPE; Pat Flynn, director of Forever Friendship center; Dylan Hagerty, chairman of Community HOPE; Jessie Pike of Forever Friendship; and Carole Waitrovich, chairwoman of Community HOPE.

From left are Jonah Waitrovich and Dylan Hagerty of Community HOPE for Suicide Prevention; Cheryl O’Neil, director of Caring House; and Carol Waitrovich of Community HOPE.

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