Lights of Hope event to feature butterfly release

Eddy County Community Cares invites you to join the 6th Annual Lights of Hope Event on Sunday, Sept. 13.

The event will begin at 4 p.m., with opening remarks by Mindy Meier at the gazebo in Centennial Park, located in downtown New Rockford.

This year, the folks who comprise ECCC are well aware of how difficult the recent months have been for everyone. As a result, the organization worked to create a family-friendly remembrance complete with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, rock painting, and more- all in an effort to host an event that is both uplifting and healing.

If you've never attended a Lights of Hope event, but thought about it, then this is the year to join in. As a long-time ECCC volunteer Jennifer Ruppell says, "We gather together, for each other."

The result promises to be safe and supportive for those affected by suicide.

Statistically speaking, national suicide rates increased by 25.4% from 1999 to 2016. In the year 2017, there were an estimated 1.4 million suicide attempts and 47,000 deaths by suicide. These numbers, provided by the United Health Foundation, place suicide as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.

The statistics for North Dakota are even more concerning. While the rate of suicide in the United States hovered at 14.5 per 1,000 individuals in 2019, North Dakota was even higher, at 20.5 per 1,000 individuals.

In our rural community, a suicide becomes more than a statistic. Losing someone in the community or close to our heart has a profound effect that can last years. ECCC hosted its first Lights of Hope Memorial Walk in 2015 in an effort to offer those affected by suicide a supportive space to honor and remember those lost to suicide.

This year, the memorial walk will begin at the gazebo, just shortly after opening remarks. The 1.5-mile loop will extend east to the school, then south one block, head west toward Wonder Lanes bowling alley, then north one block before heading east again back to the gazebo.

A memorial will be held after the walk. However, this year, rather than releasing lanterns or balloons as traditionally done, ECCC will be hosting a release of butterflies. Those wishing to release a butterfly in remembrance of a loved one lost to suicide should be at the gazebo by 5 p.m.

At 5:30, fellowship will follow as students from Sources of Strength (SOS) and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) join together to serve pie and refreshments.

This event is free and open to the public. Social distancing and masks will be encouraged.

Eddy County Community Cares works to foster mental health, suicide prevention and awareness, and provide support for those who have been impacted by suicide.