The third annual Be the One walk to spread awareness about veteran suicide deaths and share crisis help resources will return to DeKalb on Sept. 20, and the public is invited.
The free event will feature speakers, vendors to share mental wellness and crisis care resources, and other activities before the walk. Participants can walk 2.2 miles, meant to bring light to the fact that 22 veterans or service members die by suicide daily, according to the American Legion.
People can register in advance at runsignup.com or the day of.
Registration opens at 9 a.m., and the event runs from 10 a.m. to noon at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Health and Wellness Center, 626 Bethany Road, DeKalb. Walkers will receive a free one-day pass to the wellness center.
To mark the event, 22 rocks will be carried in memory of a veteran or soldier who has died by suicide. For those who would like to dedicate a rock to a lost loved one, visit runsignup.com.
New this year and directly after the walk, the DeKalb American Legion Post 66 will host a free VA SAVE Training session for those interested in learning about ways to respond and help a veteran or person experiencing crisis. For more information or to sign up, use the QR code below or visit ticketsignup.com.
The SAVE training was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The training will be led by a certified VA suicide prevention professional, according to the Legion.
The course title is an acronym for:
- S: Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized
- A: Ask the most important question of all – “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
- V: Validate the veteran’s experience
- E: Encourage treatment and expedite getting help
Be the One Day in DeKalb County
Sept. 20 has been proclaimed “Be the One Day” in many communities across DeKalb County so far, including Cortland. At Monday’s DeKalb City Council meeting, Mayor Cohen Barnes is expected to issue another proclamation for the day.
The event is hosted by the DeKalb American Legion Post No. 66, although a number of veteran and service organizations, including AmVets and VFW posts countywide, have agreed to partner.
Funds raised during the Be the One event will go to education and training, organizers said.
The walk is on asphalt pathways and sidewalks. There’s also a 1-mile circuit as an option for those who can’t or don’t wish to walk the full length.
Other activities offered include Thai Chi, chair yoga, labyrinth meditation. Event-goers can peruse 20 different tables detailing area resources offering effective approaches to mitigating a mental health crisis for veterans and active-duty soldiers
Food will be provided by local businesses. The event also will include a silent auction with 38 items donated from businesses across the region, organizers said. All donations raised through the silent auction will go to a DeKalb Legion account that will be used solely for veteran and active-duty military suicide prevention and support.
Donations are welcome for the cause, even if you can’t attend the walk, organizers said. Those interested also can use a QR code or visit the website runsignup.com.
Event sponsors include Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Health and Wellness Center, the DeKalb Corn Classic (the race donates $2.50 from each runner to the local Be the One cause), Rochelle VFW Post 3878, Insomnia Cookies, and the Sycamore American Legion Riders Post No. 99.
