FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) – Dozens gathered Monday in Freeport’s Arts Plaza for an event that combines a Memorial Day ceremony with mental health awareness.
Honoring veterans and mental health fit together like puzzle pieces, according to Linsey McDanel, who organized the event.
“It’s just the significance of the Americans who served and paid the ultimate price. They were doing it because they loved America and they love the people who are in it. And we took the opportunity to combine that with mental health awareness,” McDanel expresses.
It’s called The Future They Fought for, and its theme for the first year is Beyond the Screen.
McDanel’s organization, Hope Wins, will push education, prevention, and connection to support children in a world increasingly being shaped by digital communication.
“We have tons of different agencies and volunteers from the community that just really felt that in their heart to come together to support this awareness cause,” Janelle Nelson, Hope Wins program director, said.
Angela Pierce raised twin boys in a home that openly talked about mental health. Now she spends her days as a business owner volunteering for events like Monday’s.
“As a parent, it’s important to have relationships with your kids that are built up and to figure out exactly who they are and who they want to be,” said Pierce.
Kids run and play in water fountains. They were also invited to make fidget squishes and mental health journals.
A local band of teenagers, Lobbin Robbins, also played a set at the event.
It’s half work, half enjoying the day with family for Nelson. She just wants people to understand there are resources in the community.
“Our whole mission is to equip parents and families with the tools that they need to build those healthy relationships, and it starts with our mental health,” Nelson said.
Mayor Jodi Miller aided McDanel’s mission by issuing a proclamation and charging the community with action.
“We charge every child, family, and community member with one simple, meaningful action: the five for five connection challenge. engage in one conversation five days a week, voice to voice, not screen to screen,” said Miller.
McDanel says she hopes everyone takes this charge seriously and uses it to create a difference in the community.
“It’s not only something that we talk about to reduce the stigma, but it’s things that we actually use and take action,” McDanel said.
For help with resources, you can contact Hope Wins.
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