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Hope 2 Help event aims to promote hope, healing, suicide prevention

By TERRI CASTELAZ, Staff Writer 6 min read

NORWAY -- Communities throughout Dickinson and Iron counties will come together Sunday, Sept. 13, for an important cause at the ninth-annual Hope 2 Help Suicide Awareness Event and Walk.

The event brings people together to remember lives lost, support those who are struggling and promote hope, healing and prevention.

Hosted by Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care, the event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. in the downtown parking lot across from the Dickinson County Library on Iron Mountain Street.

While the event offers an afternoon of music, food, family activities and a community walk, organizers say its purpose goes far beyond the day's activities.

"This is our only fundraiser dedicated specifically to suicide awareness and prevention, with proceeds helping provide services throughout Dickinson and Iron counties," said Tracy Johnson, director of Prevention Services.

She said the need for those services continues to grow.

"Awareness is only the beginning, as lives are still being lost," she said. "The need for accessible and compassionate prevention services has never been greater."

Money raised through the event goes directly toward prevention, education, mental health outreach, crisis response, youth programs and the LOSS -- Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors -- Team serving both counties.

Those funds support programs ranging from teaching students how to manage anxiety to helping adults recognize warning signs of suicide.

The organization provides free QPR -- Question, Persuade, Refer -- training, a one-hour gatekeeper program that teaches participants how to recognize warning signs and respond when someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Mental health first aid training is also offered for youth and adults.

"It also helps provide additional training for LOSS Team volunteers, which often requires travel downstate," she said.

The program can provide assistance to families as well during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Johnson said they provide the funds for funeral expenses, assist with travel costs, and hotel stays to survivors who are unable to stay in their home.

"In some cases, the program can help purchase a small urn for a family that otherwise could not afford one," Johnson said.

Johnson noted the program also receives support from Six Feet Over and Lemonade Stand.

Organizers hope to match or come as close as possible to last year's fundraising total.

Johnson said continued community support is necessary to maintain the services provided in both counties, as last year they paid out about $33,000.

"We want to make sure we can help in any way we can," she said.

This year's event will offer a variety of activities throughout the afternoon. Live music by Todd Wangerin will begin at noon.

Several speakers will take the stage at 1:30 p.m., followed by the introduction of the LOSS Team.

This year, LOSS Team members will be wearing shirts identifying them as part of the team.

"Anyone who has questions and would like to stop to talk, they are easily identified," Johnson said.

At 3 p.m., participants will begin the annual walk. A new route will be used this year. Walkers will travel south on Iron Mountain Street to East B Street, continue to Stephenson Avenue, head north to East Fleshiem Street and then return down Iron Mountain Street to the event area.

Free QPR training will be offered from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Dickinson County Library.

Families can enjoy face painting, balloon animals and a bouncy obstacle course.

About 12 resource tables will provide information about local services and support. Local law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel will be present.

One of the event's biggest fundraisers will be the prize drawings and silent auction.

Organizers have received a strong response from local businesses that have donated items and gift cards for the drawings. More than 30 baskets and packages are expected, featuring jewelry from Erickson Jewelers, golf packages, hotel stays, hammocks and chairs, a tools bucket, a custom metal hitch insert, a Green Bay Packers football, a racing helmet, along with a large number of gift cards from area merchants and restaurants.

Organizers will continue accepting donations for gift baskets through Wednesday. Cash donations from individuals businesses are also welcome.

"Every item donated can raise enough funds to be able to go to help a surviving family member through the most difficult time of their lives," Johnson said.

Raffle ticket sales will close at 3:45 p.m., with the drawings to follow. Prize winners must take their items home the day of the event.

Sugar Jets food truck will be on site, along with Northpointe, serving lunch items.

Communities That Care will also sell suicide-awareness T-shirts during the event.

More than 300 people attended last year's event. This year, organizers hope to increase attendance to 400, with a goal of reaching 500 for the 10th-annual event in 2027.

Johnson said growing attendance is important, but increasing awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is an even bigger goal.

"We are trying to raise money for something that is so important, but we need to draw the attention to suicide risk and let the public know that stigma is now being broken and it's OK to talk about mental health," she said.

Organizers are already looking ahead to 2027 and hope to bring in a well-known Packer to speak.

"We want to make something really big for our 10th-annual event," Johnson said.

For this year's event, however, the message remains straightforward: Remember those who have been lost, support those who are struggling and make sure the resources needed for suicide prevention and survivor support remain available in Dickinson and Iron counties.

"This annual gathering is more than a memorial," Johnson said. "It's a chance to honor lives lost, support those who are struggling and unite as a community committed to hope, healing and prevention."

Everyone is encourage to come up to support the cause and enjoy the day.

Volunteers are welcome to help with setup beginning at 11 a.m.

Any questions or to make a donation can contact at 906-774-2561.

Those unable to attend who would like to make a donation can send checks to Great Lakes Recovery Center, 1115 S. Hemlock St., Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

Those who are struggling with issues can call Great Lake Recovery Center directly 906-458-2627 or text 1-800-35NEEDS, which is a 24-hour local outreach program.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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