I will be participating in the Stop 22 event with my VFW Auxiliary to Lockport Post 2535 and VFW Post 2535 - Lockport, NY on Wednesday September 11, 2024 at 7pm at our post at 112 Caledonia St Lockport, NY 14094.  This is a 22 minute walk/run to increase public awareness on veteran suicide. We are asking for sponsors for participants. Let me know if you want to participate and/or donate.  My sister, Amy Bonnett, and niece Carla Richter will also be participating with me, alongside my fellow auxiliary members.

Each Post which desires to participate will register and collect $1. 00 per participant, a portion of which will go to the Commander's Homeless Veterans Special Project in support of Homeless Veterans to assist in PTSD/Suicide Prevention and Awareness.  Any other additional donations will also go towards veteran programs supporting PTSD, homelessness, and more.

The number of veteran suicides continue to rise world-wide. In company with HUMANA, State Commander Michael Hoag is partnering with this well-known veteran supporter to reinvigorate the Department of NY Veterans of Foreign Wars STOP 22 Initiative first organized in 2018.

Posts and Auxiliaries are asked to work locally to organize a Stop 22 Walk/Run or other event in support of this project to bring community awareness to Veteran Suicide.

Stop 22 is a partners/zip initiative between the Department of NY Veterans of Foreign Wars and one of the nations leading health and well-being companies HUMANA to increase awareness of Veterans committing suicide - 22 each Day