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CADIZ -- Dirk Harkins, veteran and American Legion Post 525 Commander, will host a 22-mile walk from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Sally Buffalo Park to bring awareness to the 22 veterans and first responders who commit suicide every day. The walk will start at Wallace Lodge.
The event is free and open to the public. Harkins encourages people to put in a mile or two anytime during the event to join them as they raise awareness for veteran and first-responder suicide. Walkers can also create teams to split up the 22 miles. Walkers can also choose to carry 22-pound rucksacks during the walk to represent the lives lost each day.
"Not everyone has to carry the weight, and not everyone has to walk the 22 miles," Harkins said.
At noon, event organizers and walkers will carry flags around the lake to honor all veterans and first responders. Harkins said that he has 100 three-by-five-foot flags on sticks for people to carry.
"I've been overwhelmed with the response we've been getting from this. There'll be a lot fo people at this event. It sounds like we'll have enough people to carry all 100 flags," he said.
Harkins is also asking for donations. He said that half of the money raised will go to organizations that support first responders and veterans and the other half will fund the Veterans and First Responders Jamboree on Sept. 9. Scholarships will be given out to students who are pursuing a career as a first responder at the Jamboree event.
"We've been hit hard in the valley with suicide. I want to raise awareness because most people aren't aware of the numbers and statistics. I also want people to know that getting help is not a weakness. You're strong if you seek help. If you need someone to talk to, we hope to have 100 people at this event you can talk to," Harkins said.
For more information about the event, contact Harkins at 740-491-7125.
During the event, Labor Day weekend celebrations will also be taking place at Sally Buffalo Park.
The celebration will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:45 a.m. at Wallace Lodge.
Registration for the cornhole tournament will start at 11:30 a.m. Each team must pay a $20 entry fee, and the tournament will start at noon.
Starting at 1 p.m., the barn will have activities for children, and a paint and snack will take place at 3 p.m. in the barn. Those who wish to participate in the paint and snack must pay a $25 fee.
The inaugural Sally Buffalo Golf Cart Poker Run will take place at 6 p.m., and participants will meet at the barn. The poker run will have a $10 entry fee per cart, and two people can ride in one cart.
The activities for the day will end with a performance by DJ Bobcat Entertainment from 9-11 p.m. in the barn.
Labor Day celebrations will continue into Sept. 3 starting with a worship service at 10 a.m. at the park's stage.
The Camper's Fall Feast will take place at 1 p.m. at the lodge. Attendees should bring a side dish, and the park board will provide hot and mild sausage sandwiches. T-shirts will be available to order, and 50/50 and Chinese auction tickets will be available for sale.
Camper mini golf will take place at 3 p.m. and start in Lot E27. Participants must pay a $2 entry fee. A camper scavenger hunt will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at the lodge, and participants must pay $5 per cart.
Vital Signs Band will perform from 8-10 p.m. at the stage, and Chinese Auction winners will be announced at 9 p.m.