Virginia Beach Experience

Join us on September 12, 2020

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Welcome to the Out of the Darkness Virginia Beach Experience

Event Details

Date: 09/12/2020 - 10/10/2020

Location: 4534 Bonney Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

For more information, please contact:

Contact Name: Rachel Richmond

Contact Phone: 757-751-3145

Contact Email: differencemakerrachel@gmail.com

Registration is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted until December 31st.

Why do you walk? Share your reason to walk on our Virginia "Why I Walk" Wall!

WAIT … ARE WE STILL W​ALKING TO FIGHT SUICIDE?

YES! The Virginia Beach Out of the Darkness Experience is a real walk, but on your terms: you get to choose your own course, what time you start, and who walks next to you (within safe distancing guidelines)! The walking is real—it's the community that's virtual this year.

We realize that nothing can substitute the experience of coming together in person, and we will continue to seek ways in which we can do that safely. We look forward to connecting in new ways, and we invite you to join us on this journey.

Why Register?

By registering for the Virginia Beach Out of the Darkness Experience, you join a strong community united in an effort to fight suicide while showing up for yourself, recognizing and honoring those you love, raising awareness, educating communities, supporting one another, and sharing hope.

All participants can create and join teams . This is a great way to motivate family, friends, and co-workers to join you!

. This is a great way to motivate family, friends, and co-workers to join you! Registered walkers will be emailed updates and invites to e-vents in the upcoming months, as well as given the opportunity to participate for incentive prizes

Individuals who raise $150 or more by October 10th will receive our exclusive 2020 Out of the Darkness t-shirt!

You can connect with our new virtual community by joining our Participant Facebook Group! You'll meet other participants from across Hampton Roads.

Having trouble registering? Click here to view a step-by-step guide. Refer to page 1 if you’re registering yourself or page 5 if you’re registering someone else through your own account. Question that isn't answered? Reach out to us at virginia@afsp.org.

Schedule of Activities

Ongoing - Hope in the Mailbox

Brighten someone's day by sending them a free postcard. Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Walks bring communities across the country together to fight suicide and deliver hope to all who may be struggling with a mental health condition or loss of a loved one. While there may be some limitations on how we can gather in person this year, we can still send hope and let people know that they are not alone. Complete the form below and we’ll drop a postcard in the mail to bring a smile to someone's face by letting them know they’re on your mind. Get started at afsp.org/hopeinthemailbox

Ongoing September 1st - 30th - Facebook for a Face Mask Challenge

Registered participants who set up a Facebook fundraiser THROUGH THEIR EXPERIENCE PARTICIPANT PAGE (cannot be set up directly on Facebook) that raises at least $50 will receive our AFSP Virginia face mask, featuring our HOPE logo. Mask is navy with white print. See your email and our social media for details.

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Saturday, September 12th - Event Launch and Pickup Day (Rain date 9/13)

9:30 AM Online Opening Ceremony on Facebook

Team Captain Pickup by Appointment (Team Captains - Click here to sign up)

AFSP Merchandise Pop-Up Sale

Saturday, September 19th - Picture Yourself Well (Rain date 9/20)

Family/Team Photos (Visit here for details)

Self-Care Expo

Let's Chalk About It - Color a square in our sidewalk!

Sunday, September 20th - Self Care Sunday

Online Origami Paper Crane Class

Details Coming Soon

Tuesday, September 22nd - Juggle the Struggle: Sharing Smiles and Self Care

Online juggling & magic performance with Jonathan Austin

FREE and Family Friendly

Will stream from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Virginia Chapter Facebook Page

Sunday, September 27th - Self Care Sunday

Hope Drop

Saturday, October 3rd - HOPEn Mic Night

Online Open Mic Night/Benefit Concert (Tentative)

Sunday, October 4th - Self Care Sunday

Coloring Contest

Online Self-Care Technology Expo

Saturday, October 10th - Closing Ceremonies

Online Closing Ceremony

Help Spread the Word!

Please help promote the event through your social media outlets! #OutoftheDarkness #TogetherToFightSuicide



Follow us on Facebook ! Post to your Facebook page and add the direct link to your fundraising page. We also invite you to join our Virginia Beach Participant Facebook Group to receive new information and updates.





Follow us on Twitter ! If you are on Twitter, Tweet about the event. Don’t forget to add #outofthedarkness to your tweets!

Follow us on Instagram! Share and tag your photos with #outofthedarkness! Spread the word and ask for support by sharing the videos and social shares in the participant hub.

There are many more social media outlets, please use any and all to help promote the event. Tell your story!

T-Shirts

EXCLUSIVE FOR 2020: Teams who raised $1,000 prior to our print deadline of August 31st will appear on the back of our official event T-shirt. Congratulations to the following teams: Difference Makers, Team Jman, and First Responder PTSD/Suicide Awareness.



Activities of Hope and Healing

Honor Beads

Losing someone to suicide or struggling with a mental illness can feel like no one understands what you are going through. Unlike other illnesses, it is difficult to look at someone and know their connection. There is an honor bead for everyone, whether you have lost a loved one, struggle personally, support a friend and/or family member, or all of the above. Learn more by watching our honor bead video.

The Out of the Darkness Experience is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental illness have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

If you're looking for resources, please visit www.afsp.org/resources.

Thank you for your support!