For All Seasons kicked off its 3rd Annual NO MATTER WHAT . . . YOU MATTER Suicide Prevention Campaign on Friday, October 4, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Bartlett Pear Inn at 28 South Harrison Street in Easton. The free event included champagne, hors d’oeuvres, live music by Black Dog Alley, and street chalking. Over 100 people gathered to kick off the campaign.
This year, 25 Easton businesses participated in the Shop and Dine part of the weeklong event, donating a portion of sales on specific dates during the campaign week. There were also 28 business sponsors for the event. Two businesses, Frugalicious and Shabby Chic donated a portion of their sales every day of the Shop and Dine week. Through guest bartending at Doc’s Downtown Grille, an additional $1000 was raised to support same-day crisis appointments for clients at For All Seasons. Rise Up Coffee staff wore the No Matter What . . . You Matter tee-shirts while serving Rise Up coffee with No Matter What . . . You Matter coffee sleeves to create awareness during the Suicide Prevention Campaign.
Local artist Josepha Price created chalk art on Harrison Street as part of the international “Let’s chalk about mental health movement (#letschalkaboutmentalhealth),” which aims to raise awareness for suicide prevention and reduce stigma by encouraging the public to write messages of hope in chalk to let others know they are not alone. The street was fully chalked by the end of the evening.
Throughout the year, For All Seasons brings awareness to the community about such issues as suicide, sexual assault, trauma, human trafficking, and mental health needs. To request Mental Health First Aid training through the For All Seasons Center for Learning, contact Katie Pittsinger at 410-822-1018, email kpittsinger@forallseasonsinc.org.
For All Seasons serves Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties. For All Seasons Rape Crisis Center offers certified sexual assault victim advocates; counseling and support groups, free and confidential services in English and Spanish, support in the hospital, police department, and court, and referrals to social and legal services. For All Seasons English Hotline is 1-800-310-RAPE (7273) and Spanish Hotline is 410-829-6143.