Charity Raffle

In addition to the Charity Auction we are going to have a Charity Raffle for some items as well. This is a way to raise some more money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention WV Chapter.

We will have autographed pictures from Luci Cristian, Austin Tindle, Tia Ballard, Marty Grabstein, plus some overnight hotel and restaurant gift certificates. Plus we have games and graphic novels from the Board Room in South Charleston and Hurricane.

We have the items on display at the front near the entrance. You can buy tickets there for $1 each. Write your info on one of the tickets, tear them apart, place one in a box for the item you want to try and win, keep the other ticket.

We will start pulling winners after the Auction at 5pm. We will have winners ready after the Cosplay Contest at 6pm.

February 9, 2023 0

More Charity Auction Items

More items that have been gathered to be auctioned off for the West Virginia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP WV).

The auction will be at 3:30pm in Panel Room 1.

The AFSP will be taking part in State Capitol Day Wednesday February 15th. Each year, State Capitol Day events bring advocates together with state and local public officials to share information and urge that suicide prevention be made a priority. Advocates have the opportunity to meet with their legislators and speak about legislative and policy issues that need support. Because of these personal connections between advocates and lawmakers, state bills have been enacted that now ban the practice of conversion therapy, require suicide prevention policies and personnel training in K-12 schools, increase suicide prevention on college and university campuses, require insurance plans to treat mental health and physical health equally, and create statewide suicide prevention offices and task forces.

graphic novel signed by Ron Marz; Green Lantern, Silver Surfer

February 1, 2023 0

Mental Health Day and Out of the Darkness Walk

October 10th is Mental Health Day so we decided to share about an event our charity American Foundation for Suicide Prevention WV is doing soon in Charleston.

Through out the summer the AFSP has been doing Out of the Darkness Community Walks to unite communities and provide an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about. Plus raise some money too.
Their final walk for this year is October 22nd at Haddad Riverfront Park at 11am. You still have some time to start a team to raise money or just donate to one of the existing team. You can also volunteer to help or just go and support everyone on the day.

And if you need some help, or want to help someone close to you, you can reach out to them.

October 10, 2022 0

988 and MADFEST

We wanted to make sure everyone hears about the new number to call for those who are in a mental health crisis and events with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

Those seeking support during a mental health or emotional crisis may dial 988 to connect to a nationwide support network beginning tomorrow. The transition to a simplified three-digit number is meant to increase access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and will operate similar to 911.

The move was facilitated by almost $300M in federal funding to both expand telephone infrastructure and increase call center staff. Via the network, trained counselors at more than 180 centers will be available over phone, text, or chat—users may call on behalf of themselves or others. The current 10-digit number has received more than 20 million calls since it was launched in 2005.

Suicide was one of the three leading causes of death in the US for those between 10 and 24 years of age in 2020 and claimed nearly 46,000 lives that year—almost double the number of homicides.

Mountain Artist Democracy EC has brought back MADFEST on July 30th 2022 at the Nitro Soccer Complex in Nitro from 10am to 10pm. The event is to help raise mental health awareness with sponsorship with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention WV.

They will have live music from bands all day long like Hurl Brickbat, Heavy Hitters, Sever The Wicked, The Switch, Pinky’s Brains, and the headliner 5 Star Rebellion. Guest Speakers Tinia Creamer of Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue and licensed professional counselor Reverend Rance Berry. There will also be art vendors and food trucks. Admission is free and is open

The AFSP WV is also having an online volunteer meeting Sunday if you want to learn about helping out.

July 23, 2022 0

Charity: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

DualCon has joined with the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise money for their mission.

We will be running a raffle of donated items, and more activities to raise money, at the convention. We will keep you updated on what all we have. The AFSP will be on hand to talk with about their work and be helping us with a panel on mental health and gaming.

From the AFSP:

The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.

As a part of AFSP’s growing nationwide network of chapters, we bring together people from all backgrounds who want to prevent suicide in our communities. Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide, vulnerable individuals, mental health professionals, clergy, educators, students, community/business leaders, and many others energize our chapter.

Suicide is a leading cause of death – and it is preventable. With your support, we’ll be one step closer to achieving our bold goal of reducing the suicide rate 20% by 2025. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention leads the fight against suicide.Funds raised from The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention events allow us to fund research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

Your efforts will help to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

#TogetherWeAreStronger

June 16, 2022 0