Recap: 2024 Lifesavers Appreciation Celebration

On the evening of April 18th, during Volunteer Appreciation Month, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) hosted its second-annual Lifesavers Appreciation Celebration at the beautiful Pepco Edison Place Gallery. This event honored our dedicated volunteers and supporters, and their outstanding achievements which contributed to the NCAC being recognized with the following 2024 AFSP Chapter Leadership Awards:

• Chapter of the Year: Large Market
• Outstanding Chapter Public Relations
• #7 Top Fundraising Walk: Washington, D.C.
• Century Club Walk: Fairfax, VA

The celebration welcomed more than 100 volunteers and other AFSP-NCAC supporters. Festivities began with attendees appreciating the artwork on display throughout the gallery while mingling over complimentary refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. The event's program featured welcome messages from IBEW Local 1900 President Jerry Williford and AFSP-NCAC Executive Director Ellen Shannon, followed by volunteer spotlights highlighting several AFSP-NCAC volunteers (AFSP-NCAC It's Real Program Lead Marina Barbosa, AFSP-NCAC Board Member & PR Ambassador Ericka Llerena, AFSP-NCAC Advocate Chelsea Van Thof, and AFSP-NCAC Board Member & Education Chair Darlene Tzou) who shared about their connections to the cause, experiences volunteering with the chapter, and why supporting AFSP is important to them. Guests were then treated to an interactive improv show by Follow the Lisa, featuring AFSP-NCAC Board Member & Volunteer Chair John Sener.

Thank you to Pepco for hosting the 2024 Lifesavers Appreciation Celebration and sponsoring the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk, and thank you again to all the volunteers and other supporters who helped make this event a very special occasion!

See Full 2024 Lifesavers Appreciation Celebration Photo Gallery