10th Annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk
- Nov. 1, 1 p.m. (registration), 2:30 p.m. (walk)
- Heardmont Park
- afsp.donordrive.com/event/Birmingham
Photo courtesy of Out of the Darkness.
Out of the Darkness
The Out of the Darkness Walk seeks to raise awareness and fund research for mental health and suicide.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will host its 10th Annual Birmingham Out of the Darkness Walk on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2:30 p.m.
As Alabama’s largest Out of the Darkness Walk, the event serves as an AFSP fundraiser and seeks to shine a light on mental health issues and suicide. Last year’s walk raised $180,000 for the AFSP, which goes toward funding research, education and other awareness initiatives.
Nearly 2,000 participants are expected to attend this year’s event, and the paved walking route will accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Pets on a leash are also welcome to accompany their owners on the walk.
A variety of mental health nonprofit groups will be attending the event to inform people about the resources available to them throughout the community. There will also be a survivor area where people can honor and commemorate loved ones lost to suicide.
There is no registration fee to walk.
Walking to Remember
- Nov. 7, 7:30 a.m. (registration), 8:30 a.m. (walk)
- Riverchase Galleria
- alzca.org/walking/
Photo courtesy of Vance Holder.
Walking to Remember
Walking to Remember is an annual event for families and friends of Alzheimer’s disease patients to raise funds and awareness.
A mall may seem like an unusual place for a charity walk, but Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama has held its Walking to Remember at the Galleria for almost all of its 20 years.
Vance Holder, who manages the organization’s community relations, said they never have to worry about inclement weather inside the mall. The nearly 400 walkers expected to participate in Walking to Remember this year also have the chance to shop at Galleria stores afterward.
It is free to walk, but Holder said people who raise $50 or more for the organization will receive a T-shirt, and those who raise $100 or more will receive a long-sleeve shirt and a surprise item. The goal is to raise $125,000 for education and supplies.
“Our ultimate goal as a nonprofit is to educate families on how best to live with this [Alzheimer’s disease],” Holder said.
Holder said Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama covers 21 counties in the area and provides services and supplies to help families keep loved ones with Alzheimer’s at home.
Last year, the walk had a 1970s theme, which Holder said will be hard to top. However, the organization is looking for new ways to make the 20th anniversary walk distinct.
Prior to the walk, there will be refreshments, and the Vestavia Hills High School jazz band will perform. Miss Alabama will return to sing the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.
“Alzheimer’s is one of those diseases that’s everywhere,” Holder said.
