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September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month in the United States. Suicide is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and affects all walks of life.
The Center for Disease Control reported 49,449 people died by suicide in 2022. Preliminary data for 2023 puts that number well over 50,000.
Creston is not immune to the affects of suicide, leading a Creston family to begin an annual fundraising event in the hope of bringing awareness, remembering the lives lost and to break the stigmas of suicide and mental illness, still considered taboo subjects.
Skate For Awareness will hold an event beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the McKinley Park skatepark. The day will include traditional carnival games with prizes and a vendor fair at 10 a.m. and a skateboard competition at 3 p.m., with sign-up from 1-2 p.m. A local D.J. will also be at the event.
After losing a niece in 2004 and a close friend of the family in 2016 to suicide, former Creston resident Teresa Earley had the idea to incorporate her son Dayton’s love of skateboarding and bringing awareness to suicide prevention with a skateboarding competition. Earley said skateboarders tend to have a bad reputation as “misfits and hooligans” but the event shows many people they have been judged incorrectly.
This will be the fifth year the event has been held. Each year, money is raised for a charity somehow related to suicide awareness and prevention. They have donated to cancer organizations, veterans and others not specific to suicide. Earley says the people these groups help are often those who experience the hopelessness and isolation which causes many to take their own lives.
Non-profits are nominated and the benefiting non-profit is chosen by a drawing. This year’s non-profit was drawn by Earley’s grandson.
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will be the receiving non-profit for 2024. Founded in 1920, the DAV is a nationwide network including more than 1900 local chapters, dedicated to providing various means of assistance, free of charge, to disabled veterans from all branches of the armed forces. The non-profit assists veterans with things like transferring from military to civilian life, assistance completing a variety of VA forms, guidance with medical services and even transportation to and from all medical appointments. The DAV has mobile service offices for veterans and their families who live in rural area.
Dayton, who is a certified skate instructor, heads the competition. The skaters will be divided into three categories - beginner, intermediate and advanced, based on experience. Three judges will rate the skaters and trophies and ribbons will be awarded. There will also be a prize for the best trick. Following the competition there will be a product toss.
The goal for each event is simply community involvement and support to raise awareness for the cause and funds for the chosen non-profit. Local businesses have donated items for raffle and water and ice for volunteers. Vendors are still welcome to join the event.
“I want to continue this event for years to come so people from all around can feel like they belong somewhere. So many people feel like there isn’t a place for them and well, I want to make that place. It’s not just an event. It a place where people can come together and meet other people. To have a place where others can come hang out and feel welcomed,” said Dayton.
“The skate community in itself has been looked at in the wrong way for years. Yeah we skate places we aren’t suppose to, yeah we get a bit loud and very restless. But that shows comfort. Not just where you are but who you’re with. This event is a place of welcoming.”
For more information on the event or to volunteer or join the vendor fair, send a message to the “Skate for Awareness” Facebook page.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or needs help, call or text 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor.