Plymouth, Wis. The 20th annual There Is HOPE Walk hosted a record number of walkers to honor, heal, and connect for suicide awareness and prevention with those that have been affected by suicide and fellow supporters. More than 550 walkers registered for this year’s event hosted at Sheboygan’s Deland Park on Saturday, September 13.
“Our community showed up to hold space for one another, offering support and connection on the path to healing. The keynote speakers shared powerful messages of suicide loss and survival, leaving a profound impact and reminding us that healing is possible.”
EVENT PRESS RELEASE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iQFHAJNe5DPUv42loZUCzPV6JnfHEzPmeypBAgVX9TI/edit?tab=t.0
This year’s milestone event honored the Luecke Family of Sheboygan that inspired this walk 25 years ago. Doug and Kristi Luecke experienced an unimaginable tragedy in March 2000. The family lost their son Nic to suicide. In their heartbreak, they planted a seed of healing and remembrance with the There Is HOPE Walk. What began as a family’s tribute has since grown into a powerful movement of compassion, connection, and resilience.
Since 2005, the Luecke family entrusted the walk to MHA Lakeshore which has become the organization’s largest community event—advancing the organization’s mission to promote mental health through education, support, advocacy, and public health reform.
Kristi Luecke shared, “grief is a journey that will always be with you….healing is possible and connection and talking heals us. I brought this event to Sheboygan County so families had a place to go to heal.”
The event raises awareness and helps raise funds needed for MHA Lakeshore to continue suicide awareness/prevention efforts and continue providing and improving the information and resources for the community. Thus far the 2025 There Is HOPE campaign has raised $42,000 and is still counting and collecting donations to help fund these programs and offerings. Donations can be made online at: https://mhalakeshore.networkforgood.com/projects/246561-support-mental-wellness-2025
“We are deeply grateful for these courageous voices that help others through their grief. In particular, we honor Kristi and Doug Luecke, whose vision and dedication in starting this event 20 years ago made healing around suicide loss possible for our entire region,” said Julie Preder, MHA Lakeshore executive director.
Thank you to main event sponsor Acuity and all sponsors including Aurora Health Care, Vollrath, Sargento, Johnsonville, Sheboygan Paint Company, End, Hiersmann and Crain, LLC., Life Point Counseling, LLC., Vesta, United One Credit Union, Wenig Funeral Homes, Hexion Inc., Ebenezer United Church of Christ, Curt G. Joa Inc., UAW 833, Willow Creek Behavioral Health, Studio Gear, Richard J. Wirtz Law Office, LLC., Wisconsin Advisors, Festival Foods, Lakeside Pepsi, and MCW Advertising Sheboygan.
Keynote speakers offered powerful voices for those impacted by suicide by honoring loss, sharing the realities of suicide attempts, and inspiring hope and healing for those choosing to continue their journey of recovery and life. The 2025 There Is HOPE keynote speakers from the Sheboygan County community were Doug and Kristi Luecke, Megan Goetsch, Kristie Hass Splivalo, and MHA Lakeshore Board Member Mark Kesler and wife Liz Kesler.
Next year’s There Is HOPE Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at Deland Park.
ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA LAKESHORE
Mental Health America Lakeshore (MHA Lakeshore) is a nonprofit mental health agency serving our community since 1953 providing mental health education, resources, and referrals to workplaces, schools and the community. The mission is to promote overall mental health through education, support, public health reform, resources, and advocacy. Our vision is to create mentally healthy communities where all individuals thrive.
Website: https://mhalakeshore.org
Phone: 920-458-3951 (non-emergency line)
Address: 410 S. Milwaukee St., Plymouth, WI 53073
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHA.Lakeshore/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mha.lakeshore/
Twitter X: https://twitter.com/MHAlakeshore
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mental-health-america-lakeshore/
ABOUT MHA LAKESHORE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JULIE PREDER
Julie Preder has been the executive director of MHA Lakeshore since November 2018. She is a public speaker with a strong background in nonprofit organizations, capacity building, crisis intervention, nonprofit management, and leadership development. She holds a degree in Community Health Education from City University of New York-Hunter College and is certified in Field Traumatology, Bereavement Support, Meditation Teaching, Reiki, and Sound Healing.
