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6^th annual event continues through month of September

TRYON—The 6^th annual Walk/Remembrance will be done virtually this year.

The event is normally held at Harmon Field in Tryon, with free food and t-shirts to remember those the community has lost to suicide.

This year, because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Walk/Remembrance will continue to support those experiencing mental health crises or suffering mental illness and also honoring those who have lost their battles.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is paying for and placing a banner of 127 individuals who have lost their battles at Stearns Park in Columbus on Sept. 1. The banner will stay at the park under a banner to be viewed throughout the month.

The Polk County Community Foundation has also given a grant for free t-shirts to be distributed beginning on Wednesday.

The 30-day event will be done online through the 6^th annual walk remembrance Facebook page, which can also be found through Google. Aaron Greene will play a song of hope every day in the month as well as other online events.

Coordinator Mary Prioleau said the 30-day event is an opportunity to unite to reduce the current U.S. statistic of 132 suicides per day and to acknowledge and honor those individual battles lost.

“There will be daily podcasts, live/interactive presentations and an open format for sharing,” she said.

People are also challenged to take 132 steps per day in support of those struggling with behavioral health and addiction issues.

The pickup for t-shirts will begin Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the IGA in Tryon from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

T-shirts can also be picked up at Food Lion in Columbus from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28 and at Deb’s Mini Mart in Mill Spring on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.