First Annual NE Iowa Step Up Reach Out Suicide Awareness Walk raises almost $11,000 for suicide prevention programs

(Photo courtesy of Riotous Bloom and Heidi Snell-Anderson)

The figures have been entered and calculated and organizers of the 1st Annual NE Iowa Step Up Reach Out Suicide Awareness Walk in Decorah earlier this month now say the event brought out over 400 participants.

Organizer Robyn Aiels says, "Everything about that day exceeded our expectations."  With sponsorships, free will donations and raffle ticket sales the event raised almost $11,000.  The money will be given to Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health to be used for suicide awareness, education and advocacy programs throughout Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.
 
Concludes Aiels, "While we were thrilled with the numbers, we were even more thrilled at the level of compassion and support the people of Northeast Iowa showed that day."