On November 13, 2016 Rally Point Arizona hosted its 3rd Annual 22 for the 22 March & Festival. This event honors the men and women who have bravely served our country. The mission is to raise awareness of the 22 Veteran suicides that occur in our country every day. 22 Veterans walked 22 miles across Tempe and into Chandler to raise awareness and funds for the overwhelming number of Veterans in Arizona in crisis.
The following is a list of the Veterans that took up the challenge to walk 22 miles:
Aaron Tarango , US Navy Alana Antonich, US Army Brian Gallagher, US Army, & Navy Reserves Danny Schrader, US Navy, & Army Reserves David Donaldson, Army National Guard David Ramirez. US Marines Denise McCarson, Army National Guard Donald Greene, Army National Guard Erica Chesnutt- Ramirez Gerald McCarson, US Navy Gerardo Flores, US Army, & Army National Guard Gil Vergara Calderon, US Army James Byrd, Army National Guard Jesse Ruelas, Army Juan Ramirez Jr., US Army Keith Lynch, US Army Maggie Talamantes, US Army Nickie Schrader, Army National Guard Nora Peloquin, Army National Guard Raymond Perez, US Army Ricardo Tarango, Army National Guard Sue Berghaus Thomas Johnson, US Army William Cook, Army National Guard A special added event this year included the inaugural “Rally Point Arizona Run” half-marathon and 5k. Both started and ended at Rawhide Western Town. This event welcomed families of all ages by included a Kids Zone, live music and a Wellness Center.
All proceeds from this event support the Rally Point AZ program which trains Veterans and family members to become “Navigators” to help other Veterans and families in crisis who need help.
Rally Point Arizona, a program of La Frontera Arizona/EMPACT–Suicide Prevention Center,assists Military service members,Veterans and their families who are experiencing crisis situations with locating and accessing needed services. Rally Point Arizona Navigators are trained Veterans and family members who understand the challenges that come with the transition to civilian life. Navigator’s assist Veterans in obtaining services and resources such as food, housing, medical and behavioral health services and employment. The program is highly successful in promoting self-sufficiency, resiliency and lessening the probability of future crises.
Rally Point Arizona is an initiative of La Frontera Arizona /EMPACT–Suicide Prevention Center, headquartered in Tempe. La Frontera Arizona / EMPACT–Suicide Prevention Center is a non-profit community behavioral health organization dedicated to providing valued community services in the areas of suicide prevention,crisis and trauma intervention, counseling,substance abuse, and prevention.
Rally Point Arizona 24/7 hotline to support those in crisis: 1-855-725-5948.