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Pasta and Softball Fundraisers to Support Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Group
June 17, 2015 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Local residents will have two opportunities this spring and summer to support the Graham E. Smith Foundation, which funds Farmington area suicide prevention efforts.
Founded by Farmington Hills council member Ken Massey and his wife, Katherine, the Foundation was created and named in memory of their son, who took his life in May of 2011. It supports Farmington SAFE (Suicide Awareness For Everyone), which has organized community conversations, guest speakers, and other activities to raise awareness and get people talking about suicide and depression.
For a third year, Grand Tavern in Farmington Hills will host a June 17 spaghetti dinner, with proceeds generated from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. going to the Foundation. Ken Massey said the owners of the restaurant, located at Grand River and Drake Road, created the event, which will include 50/50 raffles and a silent auction.
While there won’t be a formal presentation, suicide prevention information and materials will be available, Massey said.
A second fundraiser in August will involve a lot more exercise than lifting a fork. Farmington SAFE’s second annual softball tournament has grown much larger, from eight teams last year to about 20.
As a result, the event has expended from one day to two this year, August 8 and 9. In addition, the City of Farmington Hills Special Services Department is helping to coordinate registration. And it will be a family event, with a bounce house and Farmington Hills Fire Department trucks on display.
Massey said these events don’t have a particular fundraising goal.
“It’s not something we target,” he said. “We look at it as, what we raise becomes what our budget is. Our goal, number one, is raising awareness and letting people know we’re out there.”
For more information, or to make a donation if you can’t participate in either fundraiser, contact Massey via email, [email protected], or at 248-476-4448. You can also learn more about Farmington SAFE at farmingtonsafe.com or on Facebook.
