‘A Ray Of Hope’ program hosted at Clary Gardens
COSHOCTON – Coming to Clary Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 23, is “A Ray of Hope” Suicide Prevention Outreach 2017, hosted by the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Coshocton County.
September is Suicide Awareness Month. The coalition felt that it’s important to do something big each year during the month of September to raise awareness around the issue of suicide and what people can do to help. Jessica Paynter, coalition co-chairperson, has been busy planning a much bigger event than last year. The intent of the event is to help break the stigma of talking about suicide and bring awareness to the issue.
The event will be held at Clary Gardens, 588 West Chestnut Street, Coshocton, from 1 – 6:30 p.m. It will include an art show and anyone who would like to participate is encouraged to submit a piece of art for the show keeping the theme of “A Ray of Hope” in mind. Art show submissions will be accepted the day of the event until 12:30 p.m. Judging will take place at 1 p.m. with awards to be handed out in the afternoon after the guest speaker’s presentation.
There will be a craft vendor fair from 1 – 5 p.m. throughout the gardens. Vendors are coming from as far as Lima. Some of the vendors this year are: Usborne Books & More, Norwex, LulaRoe, Thirty-One, Plunder, Posh, Pink Zebra, Tupperware, Du North and many more.
Musical entertainment will be happening throughout the day with many local artists including Kerstin Clark and Brad Fuller. The Trot and Pace mobile food café will be on site to provide attendees with a wonderful selection of foods.
At 5 p.m., we will begin the Suicide Prevention Awareness portion of the event. Our guest speaker will be Jessica Paynter, co-chair of the Suicide Prevention Coalition. She will share her story about how she was able to battle back from her attempted suicide and she has found “Her Ray of Hope” that has helped her to move forward with her life.
Immediately following our guest speakers presentation, we will be conducting a drawing for the great raffle prizes that have been donated and the 50/50 drawing. Some of our raffle prizes include tickets to Dollywood; autographed photos from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Cubs, and Columbus Blue Jackets; tickets to Akron Rubber Ducks, African Safari Wildlife Park; one night stays at Roscoe Village Inn and Coshocton Village Inn and Suites; and gift cards to many great places in the surrounding areas. Raffle Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting Jessica Paynter via e-mail, at jpaynter6181@gmail.com or Leane Rohr at leanerohr@coshoctoncounty.net. The price is $1 each or six for $5. Available the day of the event will be 50/50 tickets on sale throughout the day and suicide prevention t-shirts will be available for purchase for $12 each.
As a closing for the event, we will hold a candle lighting at one of the beautiful ponds of Clary Gardens starting at approximately 6 p.m. If you have lost a loved one to suicide, we welcome you to join us, write a message on the lanterns, and share the memories of your loved one with others.
In case of rain, the event will be at the County Services Building, 724 S. Seventh St.
If you or your business would still like to donate to our cause, you can contact Jessica Paynter or bring it to the event before 4 p.m. Those who have donated to the coalition include Jim McKeever Photos, Trot and Pace Café, Designs by Michelle, and Annin Flag.
If you would like more information on “A Ray of Hope” Outreach 2017, you may contact Jessica Paynter via e-mail at jpaynter6181@gmail.com.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
