‘Hope Takes Flight’ Unites Walk, Motorcycle Ride, and Resources for Suicide Awareness Event on Sept. 20

A new community event is taking shape to raise awareness about suicide and connect neighbors with help. “Hope Takes Flight,” a walk-or-ride suicide prevention awareness event, will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Health & Human Services Building (the former 15th Street School/Warren County Middle School). The gathering brings together Northwestern Community Services Board, the Hike Kids Foundation, and the Warren Coalition, combining plans that were once separate into one larger, community-wide effort.

Organizers say the goal is simple: make it easy for anyone—walkers, riders, families, or those just seeking information—to show up, feel supported, and leave with practical tools. “We wanted to make sure it wasn’t just a walk, but an event where people could come and get information… the warning signs. It’s really more of a suicide awareness event,” Anne Marie Nagle, a Prevention and Wellness Specialist from Northwestern Community Services, explained.

The walk is free, flat, and about one mile. “We don’t want anybody to have any reason not to want to participate. So for the walk, there’s no fee… we’re really going to try to keep it to one mile,” Mayor Lori Cockrell said. Those who choose not to walk are welcome to attend, visit the resource fair, and take part in the program.

The motorcycle ride—now in its fourth year—adds a new dimension and a wider reach, especially among groups at higher risk. The ride is $30 for a rider and $10 for a passenger, with registration on-site from 8:30–9:30 a.m. Riders will take a scenic loop in the Shenandoah Valley, then return for a meal. All ride fees and donations benefit Concern Hotline.

The schedule is designed to be inclusive and informative:

• 8:30–9:30 a.m. — Motorcycle registration (on-site only)
• 9:30 a.m. — Opening program with remarks from community leaders; route and safety briefing for riders; National Guard color guard and the National Anthem
• Hot air balloon lift to kick off the event (weather and pilot schedule permitting)
• 10:00 a.m. — Free one-mile walk (casual pace, no time limit)
• 11:00 a.m. — Resource Table Spotlight (each organization briefly shares services and how to access help)
• Event concludes at 12:30 p.m.

To make the day welcoming for families, there will be butterfly-themed face painting and crafts (butterflies inspired the event’s “flight” theme), an ice cream truck, and the potential for additional food vendors. Awareness T-shirts featuring the hot air balloon and the Concern Hotline number, along with “Hope Takes Flight” tumblers, are available; proceeds and visibility focus on awareness, not fundraising. “They’re like a walking billboard,” an organizer said of the shirts. “It’s about getting people to talk.”

Beyond the day’s program, the Northwestern Community Services Board will highlight pathways to care. Prevention staff provide free trainings—Mental Health 101, teen and adult mental health, REVIVE! (Narcan)—and distribute resources across the region.

A major message of the day is to push back against harmful myths. “One of the biggest… is if you ask somebody if they are considering suicide, that puts the idea in their head, which is so untrue. And it actually could save a life,” said Nagle—another reminder: isolation is a risk factor across ages. A simple check-in—“Hey, I’m here”—can mean more than you think.

The community’s response has been broad and generous: Parks & Rec donated the event space; KFC is providing food for riders; volunteers, agencies, and businesses are contributing time, services, and supplies. “It’s nice to see the community coming together to donate their time, their resources, their energy to such a great cause,” Cockrell said. “Everybody can kind of just feel supported.”

“Each person can prevent a suicide… You may be the one who sees the sign someone else missed,” Nagel said. Whether you walk, ride, or simply show up to learn, hope takes flight when a community stands together.

Hope Takes Flight apparel is available here.