Concerned about the prevalence of suicide and its impact on this community, the Rotary Club of Grand Island and Mallwitz’s Island Lanes are taking advantage of a Sunday without a Buffalo Bills game to promote suicide awareness during an afternoon of bowling.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Mallwitz’s is hosting “No Bills Game, so Let’s Go Bowling.” For $20, participants will receive two games, bowling shoes, a piece of pizza, and a soda or glass of beer. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, with all proceeds supporting the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“Our Rotary Club is extremely concerned about suicide, because it has affected families of our members,” explained Faye Teluk, president of the Rotary Club of Grand Island. “We have discussed as a group ways we can quickly identify the signs that someone is contemplating this horrible end of life so we can step in with help. We have learned that, in many cases, someone just needs someone to talk with, but they are ashamed to ask for help. We are so pleased to be associated with the owners of Mallwitz Lanes because they are also interested in helping us educate Islanders about this serious issue.”
The Rotary Club is working closely with AFSP to provide information to all those participating in the bowling event.
“We will have materials to keep families and individuals informed about how to help those who are suffering, and how to better identify those who need help,” Teluk said. “We have found communication is one of the keys. Members of our club will be present to speak with anyone interested in learning more about this subject.”
She added, “As a club and as a business, the Rotary Club and Mallwitz Lanes are committed to doing everything possible to prevent the devastation of a family member, friend, or community member from ending their own life.”
Donations by check can be made out to Rotary Club of Grand Island and sent to: Rotary Club of Grand Island, PO Box 103, Grand Island, NY 14072. There is also a QR code on the poster to donate electronically.
September is Suicide Prevention Month. The Buffalo chapter of AFSP is hosting its annual “Out of the Darkness” walk Saturday, Sept. 20, at Canalside. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and the event starts at 10. Western New York is one of 400 communities nationwide walking to raise awareness and much-needed funds to strongly send a message that suicide can be prevented and no one is alone. For more information, visit https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/Buffalo or contact Bonnie Webster at 585-202-2783 or bwebster@afsp.org.
Mallwitz’s Island Lanes is located at 1887 Whitehaven Road.