Bonus TL;DR
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana donated $25,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- The donation supports the Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk on October 3 in Highland.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has donated $25,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to support the Out of the Darkness Northwest Indiana walk scheduled for Oct. 3.
The donation, presented Thursday in Gary, ties one of Northwest Indiana’s biggest casino operators to a regional suicide prevention fundraiser. According to the organizers cited by the Northwest Indiana Times, the walk at Wicker Park in Highland is part of a broader national effort to fund suicide research, advocacy, and education programs.
Donation supports Oct. 3 walk in Highland
The contribution will go toward the Northwest Indiana edition of the Out of the Darkness walk, one of about 200 such events held nationwide, according to the report. The article said those walks raise money for suicide research, advocacy efforts, and educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities across Northwest Indiana.
Jordan Hagle, chairman of the Northwest Indiana Out of the Darkness Walk, said the event is meant to remind people facing mental health struggles that support is available.
“Working in mental health, I’ve seen how important it is to remind people that they are not alone,” Hagle said.
The donation was announced as local organizers prepare for the Oct. 3 event in Highland.
Hard Rock says funding will expand suicide prevention work
Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said the casino backed the effort because of the effect suicide can have on families and communities.
“Suicide touches families and communities in profound ways, and we believe it is important to support organizations that are providing education, resources and connection for those who need it,” Schuffert said.
He added that the casino expects the contribution to help broaden the group’s work in the region.
“This contribution will help expand that work and bring more people together in support of suicide prevention,” Schuffert said.
The source article described Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana as Northwest Indiana’s leading gaming and entertainment destination. Beyond the donation itself, the next key date in the effort is Oct. 3, when participants are scheduled to gather at Wicker Park for the Northwest Indiana walk.
Source: As reported by Dan Carden.