By Scott Owens
Feb. 8
Happy Hour to Raise Funds for Suicide Prevention
PENNINGTON—Last year in the United States, at least 2 million adults and untold numbers of youths contemplated taking their own lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Thanks to nonprofits like CONTACT of Mercer County, many of these potential tragedies are prevented.
From 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, at KC Prime in Lawrenceville, area residents can support CONTACT’s suicide-prevention services while enjoying music, appetizers, a Valentine’s Day gift auction, and a 50/50 raffle. According to Eleanor Letcher, executive director of CONTACT of Mercer County, the funds raised by the event are needed with more urgency than ever. “As a result of the economic downturn, CONTACT has lost close to $100,000 in funding, even though the need for mental health services has risen due to job losses and other crises,” Letcher said.
Major sponsors of the “GIVING from the Heart” happy hour include Roma Bank and Fox &Rothschild. Providing entertainment during the event will be John Papp of Black Tie DJ’s, and Stella DeVries, who will provide Tarot Card readings for $15.Silent auction items include a three-month membership to RWJ Center for Health and Fitness, tickets to Peddler’s Village Murder Mystery Dinner, a basket of cheer, and much more. The $40 admission fee includes two complimentary auction tickets.
For more than 35years, CONTACT has operated a free 24-hour hotline (609-896-2120 or800-273-TALK), which has saved thousands of lives that would have been lost tosuicide. In 2012 alone, more than 230 suicide calls were handled confidentiallyby trained volunteers who know how to listen, ease callers’ despair, and givethem hope, Letcher said.
Based in Pennington, CONTACT also offers Crisis Chat (www.crisischat.org), a free, confidential service that links youths to immediate help via online chatting. “These chats typically are triggered by suicidal thoughts, cutting behaviors, and relationship problems at home and in school,” said Letcher. “Chatters often don’t want to talk to parents or teachers. They need a safe place to express their emotions and sort through their problems. Crisis Chat provides a perfect forum for that.”
All proceeds raised during the GIVING from the Heart happy hour will go to CONTACT. For more information, to donate an auction item, or to discuss corporate sponsorships, call Letcher at 609-883-2880, or Arlene Trinidad, volunteer fundraising director, at 732-642-3204, or email [email protected].