Record turnout at 20th Annual There Is Hope Walk for Suicide Awareness
More than 550 walkers registered for this year’s event at Sheboygan’s Deland Park
SHEBOYGAN — The 20th annual There Is Hope Walk hosted a record number of walkers to honor, heal, and connect for suicide awareness and prevention with those that have been affected by suicide and fellow supporters.
More than 550 walkers registered for this year’s event hosted at Sheboygan’s Deland Park on Saturday, September 13th. The community showed up to hold space for one another, offering support and connection on the path to healing. The keynote speakers shared powerful messages of suicide loss and survival, leaving a profound impact and reminding us that healing is possible.
This year’s milestone event honored the Luecke Family of Sheboygan that inspired this walk 25 years ago. Doug and Kristi Luecke experienced an unimaginable tragedy in March 2000. The family lost their son Nic to suicide. In their heartbreak, they planted a seed of healing and remembrance with the There Is HOPE Walk. What began as a family’s tribute has since grown into a powerful movement of compassion, connection, and resilience.
Since 2005, the Luecke family entrusted the walk to MHA Lakeshore which has become the organization’s largest community event—advancing the organization’s mission to promote mental health through education, support, advocacy, and public health reform.
The event raises awareness and helps raise funds needed for MHA Lakeshore to continue suicide awareness/prevention efforts and continue providing and improving the information and resources for the community. Thus far the 2025 There Is HOPE campaign has raised $42,000 and is still counting and collecting donations to help fund these programs and offerings.
“We are deeply grateful for these courageous voices that help others through their grief. In particular, we honor Kristi and Doug Luecke, whose vision and dedication in starting this event 20 years ago made healing around suicide loss possible for our entire region,” said Julie Preder, MHA Lakeshore executive director.
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