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On September 26, 2026, more than 92 walkers and 53 volunteers came together for HASP's annual Walk for Hope.
Between walkers and volunteers, that's almost triple last year's turnout of 46 participants. Formerly known as the Run, Walk, Skate for Suicide Prevention, the Walk for Hope is a community event dedicated to raising awareness, breaking the stigma and offering support for those affected by suicide.
Marcy LaCroix, a loss survivor, opened the morning by sharing her story of losing family members to suicide. Her courage set the tone for a day of remembrance, connection, and hope.
Thank you to Hazelton Law for sponsoring the water station, to the Blue Ox Marathon for loaning race items, and to our partners Sanford Health and Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation. United Way of Bemidji Area is proud to work with HASP as its fiscal sponsor. The Walk for Hope was made possible by a Minnesota Department of Health Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Grant. Most of all, thank you to every walker and volunteer who showed up for each other.
Did you participate in the Walk for Hope and have photos to share? Please email them to Events@UnitedWayBemidji.org.
If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
This year HASP held a t-shirt design contest for the Walk for Hope.
Our winner was McKenzie Lapos and she is a 3rd grader at Solway Elementary School. She loves gymnastics, showing her pigs, and spending time with friends and family. Her inspiration for this year's t-shirt design came from her mom, Shelley Lapos. Shelley is an Iraq war veteran and a registered nurse working in behavioral health. McKenzie shares that her mom talked about returning from Iraq, how difficult that was, and how many soldier friends/family that have been lost to suicide. McKenzie’s mom shared with her about the tree of life and what it means and is at the core of the design. Congratulations to McKenzie on being our inaugural t-shirt design winner!
Are you interested in sponsoring the Walk for Hope in 2027? Click the button below to fill out the interest form.
Do you want to get involved with HASP or with next year's Walk for Hope? Click below!