A quilt donated to be given away as part of the Suicide Prevention Run is pictured. From left are Annie RosenthalChautauqua Tapestry public relations coordinator; Melodie Paladino, Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20 member and PFC DWYER Peer to Peer Pros; Brenda French, Female Veterans Dwyer Peer to Peer Program and member of Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20; Cindy Reidy, PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer program coordinator; Anne French, presenting the quilt, and Robb Will of the Dwyer Peer to Peer Program and Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20. Submitted photo

The inaugural Suicide Prevention Run will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, starting at Harley Davidson of Falconer.

The event is sponsored by the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program, the Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Chautauqua Tapestry, Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20 and Brothers by Choice to raise money for the Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention and The Veterans Endowment Fund.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and motorcycles will leave at 10:15 a.m. The route to Kinzua has been planned by Brothers by Choice. The run encourages vehicles on four wheels to attend as well.

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran’s Peer to Peer Program is a non-clinical program that brings veterans together through activities for peer support. The program came about when PFC Dwyer returned home from Iraq with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a traumatic brain injury. The program’s goal is to offer opportunities for veterans to meet other veterans living in similar situation through social activities provided at no cost to the veteran.

“The program utilizes peer support from those who can relate to the struggles of transitioning into civilian life,” said Cindy Reidy, PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer program coordinator. “We are thrilled to have these wonderful partnerships with The Community Alliance, Chautauqua Tapestry, Veterans of Modern Warfare, Brothers by Choice and several others. We all have common goals and values and together, the number of veterans that we can reach is innumerable.”

Volunteers and donors are still needed for the event. Those interested can call Reidy at 661-8447 or Melodie Paladino at 450-6768.

The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention Alliance works to protect and promote life by fostering shared responsibility through raising awareness and community support while embracing hopefulness and resiliency in the Chautauqua County region.

“The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention recognizes the importance of reaching out to our local veterans and is happy to be included in the planning of this important awareness event,” said Victoria Patti, Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention coordinator. “We know that 22 veterans die by suicide every day — that is 22 too many. We hope that our involvement in this event can help spread the word that help is available right here in Chautauqua County and not one veteran or any other community member has to be alone. The alliance feel so honored to have met the passionate members who are on the planning committee and those that are involved in the Dwyer program. It is amazing what you can do with a team who is so giving and wanting to help others.”

The event will include live music, basket and 50/50 giveaways. A chicken barbecue, by the Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20, will be available starting at noon for $10 each with a beverage or $9 without a beverage.

“As a veteran’s organization we like to help our local veterans feel welcomed home but, we also give them the opportunity to help each other through brother/sisterhood and their community around them,” said Joe Paladino, Joe Paladino, Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20 president. “Most veterans that you speak to will say that even though their time in the service is done, their service is never really done. The Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20 opens doors for our veterans to become more involved in helping other veterans and their community. Our Veterans of Modern Warfare fundraisers are here to do just what this Dwyer Run is all about — raise funds and raise awareness! Losing 22 veterans a day is an outrageous loss. We need to let both veterans and community members alike know that there is help available right here and that there are people that care and want to help. We are honored to be part of this fundraiser and community awareness event.”

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/DwyerChautauqua, www.facebook.com/thecommunityallianceforsuicideprevention, www.facebook.com/VMWCH20INC or www.cyberspokes.com/events.htm.