September being the month of Suicide Awareness, VHS joined together to support The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Not only did the school come together, but VHS athletics got involved in fundraising for this cause. The Verona football team hosted a game against Caldwell on September 7 and the Verona volleyball team hosted a game against West Orange on September 24 to raise awareness for the foundation. The volleyball team alone raised almost $1,000 for the foundation by selling t-shirts and baked goods leading up to the big game.

Senior captain of the football team, Adam Weiss, stated “The game was very important for me to play in because it is such an vital cause that means a lot to me. The AFSP is becoming a huge organization in our town and they know how to target specific age groups and encourage people to learn about their cause. I think it is so important to donate because it is such a growing cause and every donation can help save someone’s life.”

Senior volleyball captain Kate Ryan said “We chose to start fundraising for the foundation after one of our teammates suffered a devastating loss. We realized how vital it is to let everyone know that they are loved and that they belong in this world in spite of everything. It definitely left our team wanting to do more and more for this impactful cause.”

Spreading awareness for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention does not stop there for Verona. On October 14, the second annual “Out of the Darkness Walk” was held in the Verona Park. Hundreds of people ready to make a difference came together in hope of saving many lives and expressing that there is help available for those struggling with depression or anxiety.

The walk was an enormous success, raising over $100,000. Teams of loved ones who were lost to suicide, sold t-shirts to contribute to the foundation even more, as well as provided food for all of the participants. The town of Verona united that day in Verona Park and worked together to raise awareness and money for a very important foundation near and dear to the town’s heart.