Suicide Prevention Task Force’s Annual ‘Ride of Your Life’ Event Nearly Doubles in Size

GARDNER, Mass. - Sept. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- Gardner, Ma –The Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force (MSPTF) hosted its 3rd Annual ‘Ride of Your Life’ fundraiser on Sunday, August 16th at Monty Tech High School in Fitchburg. The annual event provides a safe environment for open discussion on suicide and related issues.

Over 150 riders participated in the three hour motorcycle ride through North Central Massachusetts, stopping at local motorcycle shops along the way. Additionally, community members showed up for a track walk, classic car show and celebratory BBQ. Attendees also visited vendor tables, received free health information and browsed over 40 raffle items, ranging from restaurant and local attraction gift certificates to overnight stays at local hotels.

A new addition to this years’ event was live entertainment. WTAG Radio broadcasted live from the event with host Jim Polito, who was also a rider. Many schools located within the Task Force’s service area participated, including the Murdock Middle High School Chamber singers, Abby Rusak of Overlook Middle School in Ashburnham and the Monty Tech Boomers, all performing live. Clayton Phelps and the Surround Sound Women’s Choir rounded out the performances.

Another added feature this year was the “Shining Star” program, a three-tiered initiative to recognize those struggling with mental health issues, memorials to those who have passed and a spotlight on caregivers, highlighting the MSPTF’s continued outreach to police, fire, first responders and others in crisis. For more information on crisis resources, please visit www.suicidepreventiontaskforce.org.

Attendees and riders received greetings and support from the Massachusetts Legislature, and the Task Force was presented with a citation from the Department of Public Health’s Representative Alan Holmlund for leadership in suicide prevention in the North Central and North Quabbin communities.

This year’s event was made possible by our generous sponsors. Premier sponsors for 2015 were Heywood Healthcare, Massachusetts Department of Public and Mental Health, Life Care Centers of America, Marquis Health Services, River Terrace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and Valley Stream Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Major sponsors included Alternative Home Health Care, Fidelity Bank, The Gardner News, Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, McLean Hospital, Polar Beverage, Wood’s Ambulance and Workers’ Credit Union.

The Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force extends its sincerest thanks to the events host and caterer, Monty Tech, the Gardner and Fitchburg Police Departments for their support and assistance during the event, the Patriot Riders Motorcycle Club who assisted with organization of rest stops and the Monty Tech ROTC members would directed traffic and bike flow.

Proceeds from the event will support a variety of local suicide prevention and educational initiatives. For more information, please visit www.heywood.org, www. suicidepreventiontaskforce.org or call Barbara Nealon, Director of Social Service & Multicultural Services for Heywood Hospital, at 978-630-6386.

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About Athol Hospital
A member of the Heywood Healthcare system, Athol Hospital is a 25-bed non-profit, acute care and outpatient facility serving the communities of the North Quabbin region of Massachusetts. Athol Hospital’s services include 24/7 Emergency Care, Oncology, Radiology and Laboratory, Diabetes Center and Center for Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. It is designated as a Critical Access Hospital and Primary Stroke Center, licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and accredited by the Joint Commission.

About Heywood Hospital
Part of the Heywood Healthcare system, Heywood Hospital is a 134-bed acute care hospital in Gardner, MA, which provides a broad range of high quality medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and behavioral health services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The hospital’s Centers of Excellence include the Watkins Center for Emergency and Acute Care; the LaChance Maternity Center; the Diabetes Center; and the Heywood Heart and Vascular Center, an affiliate of the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Health Care.

About Heywood Healthcare
Heywood Healthcare is an independent, community-owned healthcare system serving north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. It is comprised of Heywood Hospital, a non-profit, 134-bed acute-care hospital in Gardner, MA; Athol Hospital, a 25-bed not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital in Athol, MA; Heywood Medical Group with primary care physicians and specialists located throughout the region; four satellite facilities in MA – Heywood Rehabilitation Center in Gardner, West River Health Center in Orange, Winchendon Health Center and Murdock School-based Health Center in Winchendon - and Heywood Charitable Foundation and the North Quabbin Community Coalition, an affiliate organization.