Out of the Darkness

A hula lesson, a string of honor beads, and a moment where you realize you are not alone — the Out of the Darkness Community Walk packs all of that into a single Saturday morning at Sherando Park. Janet Michael sits down at the Espresso Bar on the Old Town Walking Mall with returning guests Patricia Brewer and Mandy Foxley, co-chairs of the Stephens City walk, to talk about this year's event on October 10 and the community that has grown up around it.

Mandy shares her own story of making it through to the other side and finding the walk through, of all things, a Facebook ad. Patricia and Mandy explain the bead colors and sand ceremony, the memorial photos along the walking path, and why nobody has to finish the walk (or even start it) to belong there. They also cover what the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention funds, this year's $85,000 goal, a tattoo-shop fundraiser, the traveling HOPE sign, and a brand-new AFSP Virginia license plate that needs 400 sign-ups. If suicide has touched your life in any way, this conversation is a reminder that there's a place for you.

EVENT DETAILS

Out of the Darkness Community Walk – Stephens City, presented by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 Location: Sherando High School and Sherando Park, Stephens City, VA Registration/check-in: 9 AM Opening ceremony: 10 AM, followed by the walk (a little over a mile) and closing ceremony; usually wraps up by noon Cost: Free to register, online in advance or on walk day Fundraising: Optional but encouraged; raise or donate $150 to earn a walk T-shirt, with more incentive tiers at $250 and $500. Fundraising stays open through the end of the year. All ages welcome: kids' area, the Glimmer Station, community resource tables, and hula lessons before the walk. You don't have to walk to take part. Website: afsp.org/stephenscity LINKS & RESOURCES

Stephens City Out of the Darkness Walk (register, donate, contact the co-chairs): afsp.org/stephenscity Find an Out of the Darkness walk elsewhere in Virginia: afsp.org/virginia American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org Facebook: Stephens City Out of the Darkness AFSP Virginia license plate: details and sign-up on the walk's Facebook page or at the walk 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, available 24/7 THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations.

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