Erika Meyer placed “Pinwheels for Prevention” along the road at Central Park for walkers who wanted to display remembrances of those they’d lost to suicide.
North Shore Bank was the start-and-finish-line sponsor for the Walk for Suicide Awareness on Sep 13 at Central Park in Kaukauna. More than 3,400 people registered for the 5K walk, and we helped by providing supplies for walkers to write remembrances of loved ones, setting up a kids’ area, and giving prizes to children and adults who attended.
“We got involved with the walk because a few years ago, a well-known, friendly customer of ours took his own life. He had been struggling with depression and was unable to accept help due to the stigma often associated with mental illness. When it happened, it was a shock to all of us,” said Northland ABMS Krissy Bowe. “I was working with his wife and daughter on their finances, and they mentioned the Center for Suicide Awareness and how much it had helped them.”
Patt Kox, Krissy Bowe, and Krissy’s mom, Marion Seefeldt, helped out at the 5K walk.
The customer asked if the bank wanted to help the center and put Krissy in touch with executive director Barb Bigalke. “Since then it has been a great partnership,” Krissy says. “They set up a beautiful display in our lobby with information to reach out to the community. They gave away over 300 free gun safety locks with all the informational and educational flyers.”
Along with Krissy and her mom, UB Patt Kox, Teller Erika Meyer, and Branch Manager Heather Starr helped out at the walk. They set up a kids’ area that included a bowling game and beanbag toss, and put out “Pinwheels for Prevention,” on which walkers could write the names of and messages to loved ones they’d lost to suicide. We also had prizes on hand for kids and offered the chance to win tickets to see the Green Bay Gamblers and the Fox Cities Ice Dogs hockey teams.
More than 3,400 walkers registered for the event.
“There are way too many stories of people feeling there is no other option — kids as young as 12 years old, all the way up to grandparents,” Krissy says. “It was great to help shed some light on an organization that is trying to save lives.” The center is also setting up a texting program, has a suicide hotline that works with three counties, puts on presentations at schools, and offers counseling to those who have lost people to suicide.
“North Shore Bank was a wonderful supporter!” Barb, the center’s director, says. “They really took the lead by not only hosting our display for two solid months, but also by taking an active role at our walk. We know suicide is a tough subject, but bringing awareness to the subject breaks down the barriers. North Shore broke many of those barriers. Thank you so much for stepping up and being part of our event!”