Oxford and Miami will host its annual Out of Darkness Suicide Walk from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 beginning in Uptown Park. 

The 5K is meant to commemorate those lost to suicide, raise awareness and fundraise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and local efforts. The goal this year is to raise $10,000, according to the AFSP website. 

In-person registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and can be completed individually or as a team. Although not required, family and friends can sponsor participants to fundraise money. If a participant raises $150, they will receive a free T-shirt. 

Before the walk, a ceremony will be held honoring people lost to suicide. Each participant will receive honor beads with various color options to represent their personal connection to the cause. To learn more about the honor beads and the meaning of their colors, please visit AFSP’s website.

The event is sponsored by Miami University’s Student Counseling Service and the Office of Student Wellness. 

To learn more about registering and donating, visit the AFSP Oxford/Miami webpage. 

– Gabrielle Byrd