ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – In observance of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, two Upper Peninsula institutions are working together to support local veterans.
In partnership with the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, Bay College hosted a “Cards of Hope” crafting event in Escanaba on Thursday. Faculty, staff, students, and community members created cards with encouraging messages inside. Those cards will be included in care packages sent to veterans all over the U.P.
According to Oscar G. Johnson Suicide Prevention Coordinator Mary Campbell, the goal is to let veterans know that someone is thinking about them and cares for them.
“A nice, handwritten card from some random person in the community that just wants to say, ‘Hi, thank you for your service’ can really change somebody’s whole day, whole outlook, trajectory,” she said. “We truly never know the impact that we can have on somebody. We’re trying to just spread some hope, and our communities love our veterans. We all have stuff that we’re going through, and we want them to know that they’re not alone.”
Another “Cards of Hope” event is planned for September 30 at Bay’s Iron Mountain Campus. The public is invited to participate at the Lower Commons between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Central Time. Supplies and snacks will be provided.
