Kevin Ford, a 2011 Westerville North High School graduate, will run 24 hours and 120 miles or more to cast a spotlight on suicide awareness and prevention and raise money for the Westerville Education Challenge (WEC), which has supported Westerville students through various clubs, programs and activities including providing financial support for the Hope Squad — a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program all high schools have implemented this fall.
A WEC member, Ford is also running to honor his father, Mark Ford, who lost his life to suicide. Ford will begin his run at 9 a.m. Oct. 16 through 9 a.m. Oct. 17 on the track at WNHS’ McCann Stadium.
“My community came together to support me when my dad passed in 2010 to suicide and I know what it feels like to be a young person struggling with tragic loss and mental health,” he said. “This endurance event is my way of paying it back to my community and paying it forward to the young people who need the support. My inspiration comes from all the family, friends, and strangers alike that have endured what life has thrown at them and continued to have hope. Hope for their future and hope for the future of their neighbor.”
Community members, organizations and businesses are invited to support Ford on his run and donate to WEC.
An all-volunteer organization that started in 2009, WEC has supported more than 10,000 students through mentoring clubs; grants for teachers; and programs such as Challenge Day, middle school transition events, and middle school culture summits. The group recently made a long-term commitment to financially support the Hope Squad at the high schools for five years and hope to eventually expand the program to the middle schools.
More than 1,500 community volunteers and 40 corporate and community sponsors partner with WEC and their contributions include thousands of volunteer hours and more than $250,000 in donations.
Learn more about Ford’s run, WEC, Hope Squad and how to donate in support of suicide awareness and prevention by visiting WEC’s website here. Those with additional questions can contact WEC President Kristan Robertson via email or WEC Secretary Lauren Hoffman via email.