Recap: 2023 National Capital Area Out of the Darkness Community Walks

Throughout September and October 2023, we walked in Manassas & Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, and Washington, D.C. to bring suicide Out of the Darkness and create a culture that is smart about mental health. Together, these community events hosted more than 3,000 participants and raised nearly $700,000 ($694,918 to be exact) to fight suicide! 

Here are just a few of the many inspiring stories from the 2023 National Capital Area Out of the Darkness Walks, presented by Leidos:

Washington, D.C. Walk

• Raised $396,305 and was the 7th largest fundraising walk in the country (out of more than 500 Out of the Darkness Walks)
• Multi-platinum rock band Shinedown donated $1 from every ticket sold on their Revolutions Live tour to AFSP, $75,000 of which directly benefitted the D.C. Walk. Read USA Today Story: "Shinedown Wants You to the Loudoun About Mental Health"
• See pictures from the 2023 DC Walk

Fairfax Walk

• Raised $163,277 and was honored with AFSP's national Century Club Award
• In 2023, our community lost an incredible friend and supporter of the AFSP and the Fairfax Walk: Sarah Kerrigan. Sarah lost her son, Tyler, in 2013 to suicide and has walked in his honor every year since with her team Together for Tyler. This year, Sarah's husband David Kerrigan carried the torch, which shined ever so brightly, by captaining her team and raising an amazing $18,303 in memory of Sarah and Tyler. Together for Tyler remains the top fundraising team in Fairfax Walk history, having raised more than $150,000 since 2014. During the Walk's opening ceremony, Sarah was honored with the "Guiding Light Award" in recognition of her vigorous dedication, lifesaving contributions, and brightly shining light of hope. David accepted the award on her behalf.
• The Intact Team joined the Fairfax Walk for the first time this year and knocked it out of the park! Not only did recruit 17 team members, but thanks to Intact matching funds raised by their Walk team members, they raised $18,250!!!
• See pictures from the 2023 Fairfax Walk

Loudoun Walk

• 2023 was its biggest fundraising year to date, raising $87,079!!!
• The Walk event moved to an exciting new venue at One Loudoun, thanks to a generous in-kind gift from Kite Realty! 
• Loudoun County Brewers Association raised $31,761.78 through sales of their "You Are Not Alone" brew where 100% of the proceeds benefit the Loudoun Walk and AFSP's mission. 13 breweries contributed to this effort: Old Ox Brewery, Bear Chase Brewing Co., Old 690 Brewing Co., Belly Love Brewing Co., Hillsborough Vineyards and Brewery, Dynasry Brewing Co., Ocelot Brewing Co., Black Hoof Brewing Co., Loudoun Brewing Co., Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery, Beltway Brewing Co., Quattro Goombas Brewery, Lost Barrel Brewing.
• 43 members of Team Jacob, many of whom were students from Loudoun County High School, came together to walk in honor of Jacob Buscher who died by suicide in January 2023 at the age of 17. Not only was Team Jacob the largest participant team for the 2023 Loudoun Walk, but they also raised $4,565 to fight suicide. The outpouring of support from the community was inspiring and brought hope to so many who have been impacted by suicide. 
• See pictures from the 2023 Loudoun Walk

Manassas & Prince William Walk:

• Sentara Health supported Walks all across Virginia and North Carolina and, for the first time, sponsored and formed a Walk team for the Manassas & Prince William Walk!
• Mattox Creek Madness, captained by Julie Kulp, joined the Manassas & P.W. Walk for the first time this year. This team of long-time friends from childhood has been personally impacted, recently having lost a member of their friend group to suicide. Forming a team for the Walk allowed them to come together in support of AFSP's mission and find hope and healing within our community.
• Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger spoke during the Walk's opening ceremony and presented AFSP-NCAC with a proclamation formally recognizing September 10 - 16, 2023 as Suicide Prevention Week in Manassas, VA.
• See pictures from the 2023 Manassas & Prince William Walk

Thank you to all the walkers, teams, planning committees, volunteers, National Capital Area Presenting Sponsor: Leidos, sponsors, donors, Resources Fair exhibitors, program participants, and everyone who supported the 2023 Walks! We hope you will join us again and sign up for one of this year's Walks today!