Volunteer Spotlight: Volunteer Week 2025

To commemorate National Volunteer Week, April 20-26, we're highlighting some of our exceptional volunteers who contribute to our chapter in myriad ways. Each volunteer brings diligence, dedication, and passion to the New Jersey Chapter in their respective roles, enriching our community with their resolve and commitment to AFSP's mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Together we are creating a culture that’s smart about mental health. Join us in honoring these volunteers by reading about them below.

What is your name?:
James Orrange

How long have you been involved with ASFP?:
Since 2018.

What brought you to AFSP?:
Tragically, I lost my brother to suicide in 2016. My previous PTSD from combat as an Army Veteran exacerbated the trauma for myself and my family, leading to significant struggles. However, through a long and arduous journey, I have reached a place where I am now able and willing to help others, including veterans.

What is your volunteer role within AFSP?:
I have served as a volunteer for two years at the Jersey Shore Out of the Darkness Walk. Last year, I had the privilege of serving as a committee chairman at the event which was an incredible experience. I have also added table talks to my commitment and recently joined AFSP CONNECTS: Veterans.

Why is your work with AFSP important?:
ASFP helped me through a dark time in my life, when I lost my brother, with their loss support resources. I want to honor my brother and help others who feel like there is no hope - especially in the African American community and veterans. Thank you, AFSP, for providing the resources to do that.

What is your name?:
Emma Mount

How long have you been involved with AFSP?:
I have been participating in the Out of the Darkness Walks for ten years, this year, and volunteering for the last five years.

What brought you to AFSP?:
I lost my first friend to suicide in 2012 at only 17 years-old. I have been advocating for suicide prevention ever since through the AFSP and their Out of the Darkness walks.

What is your volunteer role within AFSP?:
I hold a spot on the Mercer County Walk Committee as well as volunteering at Pride events, National Night Out and the Hike for Hope events.

Why is your work with AFSP important to you?:
My work with the AFSP is important to me because after losing two friends to suicide, and having suicidal ideations myself, I want people to know that there is hope and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

What is your name?:
Ashley Edwards

How long have you been involved with AFSP?:
It will be three years this August!

What brought you to AFSP?:
Suicide prevention was something I always cared about and wanted to advocate for. An AFSP post came across my Facebook feed about a month before an Out of the Darkness Community Walk was supposed to happen, and I quickly signed up and spoke with the walk chair in hopes of volunteering. It was like fate!

What is your volunteer role within AFSP?:
I am the Activities and Ceremony Lead for the Mercer County Walk Committee.

Why is your work with AFSP important to you?:
AFSP means so much to me because I know firsthand how important mental health is. Having struggled myself, I understand how isolating it can feel, and how vital it is to have support and resources. It's something that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially within specific communities, where mental health has often been stigmatized or pushed aside. I hope that by sharing my story, I can touch at least one person and give them the hope they need to know they’re not alone and that healing is possible.

What is your name?:
Piper Wyman

How long have you been involved with AFSP?:
I have been involved with AFSP since 2022.

What brought you to AFSP?:
I first reached out to AFSP in 2022 when I decided that I wanted to create a walk in honor of suicide prevention in my hometown. I originally connected with AFSP New Jersey Executive Director, Elizabeth Clemens, to express my interest in starting a community walk in Middletown, New Jersey. We collaborated and decided that all of the funds I raised for my walk would be donated to the New Jersey Chapter.

What is your role within AFSP?:
For the last two years, my role within AFSP has been to raise money through my own organized walk called Be the Difference. I have raised nearly $25,000 through my walk that has been donated to AFSP.

Why is your work with AFSP important to you?:
My work with AFSP is important to me because I can express myself through my passion, and sharing my passion with an organization that strives for the same goals as me. It has been absolutely incredible.

What is your name?:
Faith Pierrecharles

How long have you been involved with AFSP?:
3 years

What brought you to AFSP?:
After overcoming my own struggles, I wanted to find a way to be a voice for the voiceless and give back.

What is your volunteer role within AFSP?:
I volunteer on the Burlington County Walk Committee, do Field Advocacy, Tabling Events, and more recently Community Programs Presenter.

Why is your work with AFSP important to you?:
I live by the mantra "Gotta Have Faith." My ultimate life goal is to give back to my community and help inspire hope and resilience through sharing my story and the impact AFSP has made within our communities nationwide.

What is your name?:
Donna Picciuto

How long have you been involved with AFSP?:
I’ve been involved with AFSP in various ways since 2017, starting with participating in the Jersey Shore Out of the Darkness walks shortly after losing my sister, Kathy. At the time, it was a way for me to honor her memory and connect with others who understood the pain of losing someone to suicide. The walks gave me a sense of community and purpose during a time when I really needed it.

In 2023, I decided to take my involvement a step further and began volunteering more actively with AFSP. I wanted to move beyond just showing up—I wanted to make a real impact. Whether it’s through event planning, awareness efforts, a Healing Conversation or advocacy, being part of this organization has given me a way to channel my grief into action and support others on their mental health journey.

What brought you to AFSP?:
What brought me to AFSP was something deeply personal. I lost my sister, Kathy, in 2017 and my husband’s brother, Steven, in 2008—both to suicide. Their loss had a profound impact on me, and I knew I wanted to do more than just participate in the walks. I wanted to create real change, raise awareness about mental health, and help prevent others from experiencing the same kind of heartbreak.

For a year, I volunteered with the Crisis Text Line, which gave me a meaningful way to connect with people in crisis. But over time, I realized that the direct emotional intensity was difficult for me to manage. That’s when I found my place with AFSP. It allows me to still support those in need and contribute to an important cause, but in a way that feels sustainable and empowering. Volunteering with AFSP has become my way of honoring Kathy and Steven—by turning loss into purpose and helping others find hope.

What is your volunteer role within AFSP?:
As a volunteer with AFSP, I’m involved in several roles that allow me to contribute in different ways. First, I’m a Healing Conversations volunteer, where I have the privilege of offering support to those who have lost someone to suicide. Through this program, I connect with fellow loss survivors, listen to their stories, and provide a compassionate ear, knowing firsthand the healing power of sharing and being heard.

In addition to that, I’m also on the committee for the Morris County Walk in Chatham, New Jersey. This role involves helping with the planning and organization of the walk, from fundraising efforts to coordinating logistics and outreach. Being part of the committee allows me to play an active role in raising awareness, bringing the community together, and ensuring the event is meaningful for everyone involved.

Lastly, I serve as a Community Ambassador, where I advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention within my local community. This role involves spreading AFSP’s mission, providing information about resources, and fostering conversations around mental health. Each of these roles has given me a platform to not only honor the memories of loved ones I’ve lost but also make a tangible difference in the lives of others who are going through similar struggles.

Why is your work with AFSP important to you?
My work with AFSP is deeply personal. The loss of Kathy and Steven to suicide changed my life forever. Getting involved with AFSP has become a way for me to honor their memory and make something meaningful out of something so devastating. It's not just about raising awareness—it's about helping others feel less alone, supporting those who are struggling, and making sure families don’t have to go through the same heartbreak. If I can be a voice, a resource, or a light for even one person, then I know Kathy and Steven’s legacy lives on in a powerful way.

What is your name?:
Hazel Penner

How long have you been with AFSP?:
I recently got involved with AFSP this past January!

What brought you to AFSP?:
I was introduced to AFSP through my service sorority, Omega Phi Alpha. Each year we collaborate with AFSP to organize the Rutgers Out of Darkness Campus Walk. Upon learning about AFSP, I jumped at the opportunity to support AFSP’s cause and get involved as OPhiA’s representative. Mental health has always been important to me– I’ve seen how deeply it can affect others and joining AFSP felt like an exceptional opportunity to make a difference. I’ve been lucky enough to work with an awesome team that’s taught me not only the logistics and importance of planning this walk, but also how to keep building a supportive and passionate mental health community at Rutgers.

What is your volunteer role with AFSP?:
I work with AFSP as a student volunteer, helping to organize this year’s Rutgers Out of Darkness Campus Walk. I’ve gotten to work with an amazing team to help plan the event, spread the word on campus, and encourage students to get involved. It’s been really meaningful to be part of something that brings people together to support one another and raise awareness for such an important cause.

Why is your work with AFSP important to you?:
My work with AFSP is important to me because mental health and suicide prevention are causes very dear to me. I’ve always hoped to raise awareness about the strength and bravery of those who’ve been affected by mental health issues on a greater scale, and AFSP provides me with the opportunity to do just that. Often, getting help is seen as weak, when in reality, it’s the opposite. I’m happy to join AFSP’s cause, along with the opportunity to emphasize that psychological health is just as important as physical health. I was once told the analogy; if you were to break a bone in your body, nobody would question your decision to get help. And the same is true for anyone struggling with mental health. You deserve to be happy and enjoy the preciousness of life, and while difficult, the path to emotional well being is a worthwhile one. AFSP has offered me an exceptional opportunity to give back to a community that’s always supported me, working to bring awareness, support, and break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

How Can You Get Involved?

We are so grateful to ALL of our dedicated volunteers. We couldn't do this work without you. Big thank you to our featured volunteers for allowing us to share their stories.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the AFSP New Jersey community, complete the volunteer application and a representative will be in touch with you. We're always thrilled to welcome new faces with a passion for making a difference!

Join us as we share stories of hope, healing, resilience, and the profound influence volunteers have on our community. Together, we can create a world that is smart about mental health!