Suicide has immensely affected rural communities and has left an enormous impact on many families in the area.
The mission of organizers is to raise money for suicide prevention and awareness education and to support those who suffer so they will Never.Give.Up.
Starting this group came after the suicide of Peggy Havnes' 16-year-old son Kyle Kenyon in 2012. In hindsight, the family recognized a need for education about preventing suicide.
"The sudden and unexpected death of my son - a vibrant young man - devastated my family," Havnes said. "Unfortunately, many families have experienced suicide since Kyle's death and well before his death."
Suicide has been an ongoing tragedy that isn't talked about but needs to be. Most suicides are preventable through diagnosis and treatment of a mental illness such as depression or bipolar disorder. The nonprofit group hopes to help people understand that there is help and there are people available to talk to when life doesn't seem to go right.
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Never.Give.Up. donates all funds raised to local schools to educate youth about suicide awareness.
"It's our hope that students will become more aware and reach out for help--for themselves or a friend struggling with depression," added Casey Kenyon, Vice President of Never.Give.Up.
The nonprofit plans to donate all proceeds from their fundraising efforts to a different school every year. This year's recipient is Wadena-Deer Creek Public School, which will get 90 percent of the proceeds. The remaining 10 percent will go to New York Mills Public School, which was the first recipient last year.
The schools have agreed to earmark the funds for suicide awareness and prevention education.
Never.Give.Up. is in collaboration with the Christopher Benz Foundation in connecting communities for suicide prevention. Together they are hosting a 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk event. This year's event is at Sunnybrook Park in Wadena Saturday, Aug. 29. Registration starts at 8 a.m. with the runners starting at 9 a.m.; walkers start at 9:15 a.m.
Those who come out to support the cause will receive an informational packet and refreshments. A special guest will speak at 8:45 am. Also, there will be a silent auction and t-shirts, bracelets and tattoos for sale.
The group encourages people to dine at Wadena's Pizza Ranch after the event. They have agreed to donate a portion of their sales on the day of the event when mentioning the Never.Give.Up. 5K.
Those unable to take part in the event can still donate. Mail a donation check to Never.Give.Up. 38246 500th Ave, New York Mills, MN 56567 or email LetsNevergiveUp@gmail.com for more information.
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Never.Give.Up. is a non-profit organization with the mission to raise suicide awareness and prevention to support those who suffer so they will Never.Give.Up.
