Kids Walking for Kids: Walking for a brighter future
By: Sabrina Medler
Kids in Saint Louis are taking initiative to put an end to suicide with Kids Walking for Kids, an annual event interested in promoting this cause. The event was on May 10 at Creve Coeur Park and it was sponsored by Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide, or CHADS, which strives to advance the awareness and prevention of suicide and depression.
“Kids Walking for Kids started as a way to celebrate hope but also as a way to memorialize the kids in St. Louis that we’ve lost to suicide and their families who we’ve become friends with because of the work we do,” CHADS Bullying Prevention Project coordinator Mark Norwine said.
Kids Walking for Kids is the Midwest’s largest mental health fair. At the end of the night there was a slideshow put together in memory of teens who have committed suicide. Throughout the night people decorated white paper bags in commemoration of these teens. At sundown, CHADS officials put candles inside of the bags and lined them up along the sidewalk, next to the lake. Then, people at the event walked along the sidewalk in silence, to remember these kids. After the luminary walk, there was a large fireworks display over Creve Coeur Lake.
In addition to these sentimental features, there were lots of fun activities for kids and teens throughout the night. This kid-friendly event lasted from 6-9 p.m. complete with a DJ, frisbee, hula hooping, washers, tie dye shirts, crafts, food for purchase, and balloons.
“Kids Walking for Kids started as a way to celebrate hope but also as a way to memorialize the kids in St. Louis that we’ve lost to suicide and their families who we’ve become friends with because of the work we do,” CHADS Bullying Prevention Project coordinator Mark Norwine said.
Kids Walking for Kids is the Midwest’s largest mental health fair. At the end of the night there was a slideshow put together in memory of teens who have committed suicide. Throughout the night people decorated white paper bags in commemoration of these teens. At sundown, CHADS officials put candles inside of the bags and lined them up along the sidewalk, next to the lake. Then, people at the event walked along the sidewalk in silence, to remember these kids. After the luminary walk, there was a large fireworks display over Creve Coeur Lake.
In addition to these sentimental features, there were lots of fun activities for kids and teens throughout the night. This kid-friendly event lasted from 6-9 p.m. complete with a DJ, frisbee, hula hooping, washers, tie dye shirts, crafts, food for purchase, and balloons.
Decorating a paper bag, sophomore Luna Spring commemorates teens in St. Louis who have committed suicide. People at the fair decorated bags in memory of these teens and at sundown, put a candle in each along a path. Then everyone walked in this "luminary walk" and remembered those who took their own lives. (photo by Sabrina Medler)
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“We always have a stage and we usually have music,” Norwine said. “This year we [had] a volleyball tournament going on, fireworks, games and activities… bubbles, and face painting for the kids.”
Among the people who attended this event, were several Ladue teens, members of “Students Helping Students,” one of the newest clubs at the school. This club is interested in being allies to members of the student body who feel alienated. “Our club is kind of broad, we help with anxiety, depression, or if you’re a new student,” junior Hope Howard said. “Just if you’re feeling kind of out of place at school, need a little help, someone to talk to, or a link to someone else.” Sophomores Luna Spring and Chavonni Meeks, and juniors Nora Christeson and Howard were present at the event. Spring said the event was very fun and found that the cause meant a lot to her. “It’s important to me because I care about people and I want them to live a happy life with fulfilment,” Spring said. « |