Overnight 2011 – New York, June 4-5, 2011
Tommy Fuss Team completes its Fifth
Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk
June 4 – 5, 2011 New York City
-
Twenty-two team members participated in the 18 mile event. Three members worked at Rest Stop 3. And 13 close friends and family joined us for the opening ceremony.
-
Together we walked 375 miles from dusk until dawn.
-
Together we raised $45,000 to support the research, advocacy and programs of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
-
Two thousand people joined together for this event raising a total of $2.5 million pre expenses.
-
Over the past 5 years the Tommy Fuss Team has collectively walked nearly 1,400 miles and raised over $165,000 to support the work of the AFSP.
Coincidences…or Signs of Tommy’s Presence?
New York Daily News, June 6, 2011, “Thousands of walkers trek from Brooklyn to West Side to raise money for suicide prevention programs”
Tommy Fuss Team Overnight 2011 Walkers
Crew Members 2011
The impact of the event far exceeds the money raised. The words of Larry Roshfeld, Captain of Rest Stop 3, sum it up:
“I truly believe that our work at Out of the Darkness will change lives. We’ll never know for sure the impact that our presence had, but I like to think that at least for one night, we helped create a world where depression and suicide could be talked about in public, and that was just a little bit less lonely for those whose lives have been impacted by suicide. If we helped save one life, or brought a little comfort into even one pained life, it was a good night’s work.”
The outreach of the Overnight Walk, in its sixth consecutive year, continues to expand the dialogue about mental illness. People were walking, not only because their lives had been touched by suicide, but for themselves and friends and family members suffering from depression or other forms of mental illness – to raise awareness and remove the stigmas. This included college students and young adults as well as families walking because a loved one was in treatment. Many people approached the Tommy Fuss Team to learn more about “Tommy Fuss,” to share their personal stories and to let us know they were inspired by our bringing so many people together to remember Tommy.
It was another emotional, empowering and memorable evening. With love and appreciation to all for your continued support.
– RoseMary Fuss
Watch the official 2011 Out of the Darkness Overnight Video featuring a number of the members of the Tommy Fuss Team.