MANTENO, Ill. – Jake Smith, a mental health and suicide awareness advocate, is seeking sponsors for the annual “Walk the Walk” event in September.
Smith will walk 26 miles in Manteno, Illinois, to raise awareness of mental health and suicide and raise funds for three organizations that deal with trauma patients and provide counseling.
The organizations include Harbor House of Kankakee County, which supports domestic violence survivors, Clove Alliance of Kankakee County, which supports sexual violence survivors, and Iroquois Mental Health Center of Manteno, which provides outpatient general mental health. The funds raised will be split between these three organizations.
Smith’s efforts last year raised $120, but he has added that amount to this year’s efforts. The total amount raised for this year’s event is $645, which is 11% of the minimum goal. A GoFundMe has been started for the cause with a goal of $6,000. Smith is looking for community sponsors to join the campaign and promote fundraising events. Smith is also asking those interested in joining or promoting the fundraiser to message him with their ideas and interest.
Smith’s inspiration for starting the annual walk stems from his personal struggles with mental health. He hopes that the event will raise awareness and provide support to those struggling with mental health.
The walk will take eight hours to complete and will feature several participants walking the full length and others joining for a stretch to show support.
The event will be held in September and participants can join the Facebook event page, connect with Jake directly, or join the walk as it progresses throughout Manteno.
