Health & Fitness

Time Left To Assist Suicide Prevention Groups: Chatham Twp. Mayor

Mayor Curt Ritter says he is grateful for those who participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk, but says help is still needed.

CHATHAM, NJ - The following letter was submitted by Chatham Township Mayor Curt Ritter:

Dear Editor: I want to personally thank the more than 340 walkers who participated in the 3rd Annual Chatham Township Out of the Darkness Walk at Cougar Field. Despite the cool and cloudy skies, they helped shine a bright light on suicide prevention and raised nearly $60,000 (to date) for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This brings our three year Walk fundraising total to more than $200,000! There is still time to donate to this important cause, which can be done at www.afsp.org/chathamtwp

We could not have been as successful if it were not for our Walk Committee. I particularly want to thank Chatham Township Detective Anthony Loporto, Chatham Borough Council President Len Resto, Valerie and Bob Olpp, Angeli and Noah Breen, Nancy Kislin, and the many others who gave of their time to make the Walk such a success. Special thanks also goes to Elizabeth Roithmayr-Clemens, New Jersey Area Director for the AFSP, for her support.

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I also want to thank our sponsors for their support, including: Gold Sponsors: Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Green Village Fire Department, Jaguar Morris County, Silver Sponsors: Adams Dental, Chatham Disposal, Hickory Tree Landscaping, Weichert Realtor, and Bronze Sponsors: BoxCar, Inc., Chatham Hills Subacute Care Center, Chatham Township Fire Department, Chatham Township PBA #170, DJ Thomas, Hickory Pizza, Hickory Tree Delicatessen, Lakeland Bank, Madison YMCA, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, South Orange Chiropractic Center, The Chatham Club.

Our top fundraising teams were: MadisonsRaeOfHope.com, Adam's Vaziracles, Tommy Fuss Team, Matt's Crew 2017, and Team Nancy. While our top individual fundraisers were: Len Resto, Andrew Liput, Sydney Gotsch, Elizabeth Long, and Noah Breen. Thank you for your amazing efforts!

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We are already looking forward to hosting the 4th Annual Chatham Township Out of the Darkness Walk next September. We encourage individuals interested in getting involved to like our Facebook page @AFSPChathamTwp or to email me directly at curt.ritter@gmail.com. Thank you again for your support, together we can make a difference.

Curt Ritter
Mayor Chatham Township

(Photo courtesy of Chatham Township)

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