Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will host a kickoff event for the Broward County Out of the Darkness Walk on the second floor lounge of the Don Taft University Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Retention and Recruitment Chair for Lambda Theta Alpha Lauren Adames, junior psychology major and the event’s student chair, said the goal of the kickoff is to get people excited for the walk. Free food will be available for registered walkers and computers will be set up for those who wish to register. The walk will be on Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon, starting and ending at Fellows Way, the area between the Carl DeSantis Building and the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.
To raise awareness about suicide and the walk, the sorority will also host a shoe drive from Nov. 4 through Nov. 24. Boxes will be set up around main campus for anyone to donate shoes, which will be exhibited around the route the day of the walk to represent victims of suicide. The shoes will later be donated to a charity, which has yet to be selected.
This will be Lambda Theta Alpha’s fifth year co-hosting the walk for Out of the Darkness, the chapter’s philanthropy. The event is part of the nationwide Out of the Darkness Walk, an annual 5K walk that raises money for research and education programs about suicide. It aims to prevent suicide, raise awareness about suicide and depression, and provide assistance to those who have lost a family member or friend to suicide.
Registration for the walk is free and will be open until Nov. 22 at noon. Adames said members of student organizations should register as a team to help reach their fundraising goals, though individuals can register as well. Check-in will be from 8 to 9 a.m. the day of the walk.
Over the past four years, the sorority has raised more than $80,000 and hopes to raise $35,000 this year. They’ve raised more than $4,000 so far and donations will be accepted from walk participants and supporters until Dec. 31.
Participants will have a chance to dedicate a memorial sign, wear colored beads in honor of loved ones and learn more about suicide through the “Putting a Face on Suicide” exhibit. Before the walk begins, there will be a remembrance activity where people will share the names of loved ones lost to suicide.
For more information on the upcoming events, contact Adames at la662@nova.edu or Michelle Manley, director of student media, at mmichell@nova.edu.
To register, donate and stay updated on donations raised, visit afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=2420
