Glen Lake students will host a “Hike for Hope” at the Glen Haven Cannery Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tommy’s First Mates, a student-led group, has teamed up with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help bring mental health awareness to Leelanau County.
The group was started in light of Tommy Reay’s passing three years ago.
“Every year we do a hike for hope that brings everyone together and recognize the cause,” Tommy’s First Mates member Michael Houtteman said.
The hike for hope will kick things off at 11 a.m. with registration, followed by a half-mile hike down scenic Sleeping Bear Road to the old Coast Guard Station and back along the beach. There is an online registration, but registration will be preferred on-site. All are welcome to join this festive event.
There are opportunities to make donations for the cause at the event.
“We realize that it is a serious cause, Tommy’s first Mates allows for other students if they don’t feel comfortable talking to teachers to come talk to one of our group members and then we can help from there,” Houtteman said.
The peer-to-peer group is open to anyone at the school that is dealing with personal issues. They are led by eight students and two staff members. Annabelle Roach is one of the main leaders as well. Saturday’s hiking event is different from the fall AFSP ‘Out of Darkness’ walk held in Traverse City every fall that gathers much of northwest Michigan.
The group was formed in part to the death of Thomas “Tommy” Reay in 2021 at the age of 17. His mother, Holly Reay, has become a safeTALK certified presenter and Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program.
“I do make myself available to implement those programs at different area schools or organizations,” Reay said. “I’ve learned that there are tremendous amount of resources for people who are struggling that are not known in a mainstream fashion in our society.”
Michigan Senators Betsy Coffia and Mallory McMorrow will supposedly be in town for a fundraiser event.
“It is our hope they are going to be able to join us on the walk,” Coffia said.
Funds raised during the walk will go to support the mental health group Tommy’s first Mates.
“Nobody should have to struggle alone and the more people who show up and support each other the better,” Reay said.
