TEXARKANA, Texas –Pickleball players united on Saturday for Hit Hard, Love Louder.at the Southwest Center to play and to support the Love Moore Loudly Foundation.
The Founder, Amanda Bruce, said she created the group while struggling with grief over the loss of her daughter, Ally Moore, to suicide.
Bruce had to turn her pain into purpose by using the nonprofit to bring awareness of suicide prevention and hopes to build a mental health meditation walking trail in Texarkana.
The pickleball fundraiser kicks off as the first fundraising event to help build her walking path idea.
“My daughter suffered from mental health for 5 plus years and even though I knew the signs, I knew what to watch for, she kind of assured me that she wouldn’t do it, and so I let my guard down and that’s where we’re at today,” said Bruce. “And that’s why I started this because you can know the signs, you can reach out every day, but I think we need to give people more coping skills and that’s part of what my foundation does.”
Bruce has compiled a series on social and emotional learning that she says she is trying to put back into the community.
Bruce said she believes the education was there at one time, but it has somehow diminished from the leadership tables through the years.
Ally was 20-years-old when she committed suicide and Mom said she believes the comparisons with other young adults that Ally drew on social media had a huge impact on her daughter’s decision to commit suicide.
The walking path will be designed for meditation and for a healthy pause before making a decision.
Bruce said young people have many emotions, but realizing there does not have to be a reaction to each emotion is very important.
The location for the walking trail has not been designated, but Bruce is communicating with both cities.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
To learn more about the Love Moore Loudly Foundation and its goals, you can find them on their website, or on Facebook and Instagram.Â
