Fundraising Walk in Glen Cove to Benefit Long Island Crisis Center

On April 25, hundreds of people will gather at Morgan Park in Glen Cove to lend a helping hand in raising awareness about suicide prevention as participants in the Glen Cove Fitness Walk. 

Let's Walk, Let's Talk: Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide will benefit the Long Island Crisis Center in Bellmore, a Nassau County-funded organization that aims to provide, among other things, "free, high-quality, accessible and confidential services to Islanders in crisis," according to its Web site. 

The walk is a follow-up to one held in Long Beach last fall and officials at the center expect it to become a semi-annual one held at the two cities in the county.

County Legislator Diane Yatauro, who represents Glen Cove, will host the event with the city government. Mayor Ralph Suozzi and Legislator Denise Ford, who hosted the original walk with the city government in Long Beach, are also slated to participate. 

The walk will cover approximately one mile of trail with five fitness stops and will include food and entertainment. Before beginning their walk, participants will be led by representatives from the NY Sports Club in a group warm-up stretch meant to educate them in the proper way to prepare for a workout. 

Trainers from the club will also be stationed at each of the fitness stops to instruct them further on techniques for more specific conditioning drills, such as using a park bench to do squats. The goal, club representatives said, is to transmit a framework for an exercise regimen that can be practiced by anyone, anywhere.

Linda Leonard, the LICC's executive director, said that along with raising funds for the center, the event will be used to promote openness and engagement among residents toward the issue of suicide in their community. The activities aim to highlight that some of the major causes of suicide are enveloped by a broader public health issue. Leonard noted that there is a log of studies, which demonstrate that exercise helps to reduce symptoms of depression, a notion that is also backed by any college freshman-level psychology textbook.

Leonard said she hopes the message, with its emphasis on an even-paced approach to addressing the issue, will leave people with tools and knowledge to help alleviate the threat of suicide in the county.

"There's a myth that talking about suicide plants ideas," she said. "We want to teach people that if you're worried about someone, talking about suicide is not going to do anything but possibly encourage them to get help."

The center is aiming to raise $50,000 from the event, $1,275, of which, has already been donated. The majority of the donations, center officials explained, is expected to accumulate the day of the walk with on-site registrations, which will begin at 11 a.m.

The minimum fee to participate is $15. Walkers who donate sums of $50 and $250 will receive a T-shirt and windbreaker, respectively. This is a rain or shine event. 

To register, visit the center's Web site or its main office at 2740 Martin Ave. in Bellmore. For more information about the walk, visit licc.glencove.dojiggy.com.