Attached is our newsletter for August; we hope you enjoy it.

Please note that our annual run/walk—our biggest fundraiser of the year—is scheduled for Saturday, September 24^th, 8:00 a.m. at Woodward Park. Ours is a pretty laid back format—you need not be a seasoned runner or walker to participate and enjoy yourself. There will be signs in memory of those lost to suicide, memorial quilts, and a short memorial service followed by a dove release to commemorate their lives and those they have touched.

For the participants, there is music—including fun stuff with the DJ, snacks, silent auction items, and lots of printed informational materials on depression, the leading factor in suicide deaths.

We are still looking for sponsors and silent auction items. Let us know if you can help, particularly if you have a vacation home (or know someone who does), or other large ticket items. We appreciate your help!  

It’s a great way to start the day—please join us! Call the office for more information and/or entry forms—322-5877.

Attached is our newsletter for July; we hope you enjoy it.

We have finished our presentation activities and other events related to local area schools and are enjoying the summer months—and gearing up for our big fundraiser, the run/walk scheduled for Saturday, September 24^th at Woodward Park. We need your participation, and hope you can join us.

We also need sponsors and silent auction items; if you know of a company or individual who might consider a sponsorship but do not want to solicit them personally, give Leann a call at the office - 322-5877. We would be happy to provide information and a small presentation to any prospects to let them know about the valuable role we play in community education. Please remember that we are the ONLY group or agency who actively works to PREVENT suicide, rather than dealing only with the aftermath. This service is provided in Valley communities (not just Fresno/Clovis); it is very important that we continue to provide education on recognizing the warning signs of depression and suicide.

Thanks for your support!

Linda Ginise

Newsletter Editor

We are preparing for our 9^th Run/Walk to be held Saturday, September 24^th, at Woodward Park. We are actively seeking donors and sponsors—and we hope you can help. If you work for a company that sponsors local charitable events, please ask for their support. If you are not comfortable doing that, please contact Leann Gouveia at the office, (559) 322-5877, or by email, leann@fresnosos.org.

As most of you know, we are not just about providing support and services to those who have actually lost someone to suicide. As part of our community service, we spend hundreds of hours each year educating  thousands of students in local area schools with presentations by our Speaker’s Bureau. In most instances, a survivor shares their personal experience with suicide loss (this is always an attention getter), and the team then goes on to remind the classes about warning signs while also offering sources of help. We—or school counselors-- often get requests for help as a result of this program. And these presentations are not JUST for schools; they are also available to professional groups. We are the only local organization locally that is actively involved in suicide prevention!

Linda Ginise

Newsletter Editor