Out of the Darkness - Moto Crew Volunteers Needed - June 9/10, 2012

[CRASH]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Which day?

After the closing ceremonies was my thinking ... but why not both?

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by CRASH

After the closing ceremonies was my thinking ... but why not both?

Definitely after the closing ceremonies... I think that would be quite appropriate and I'll add that to the notes.

Given that we'll be up all night, not sure if doing a 6 a.m. breakfast that Saturday would benefit anyone...

[Tyler]

Save the Date

2012 Overnight Walk - Kick Off Event

This would be a great time to come and learn about the event and sign up for Moto Crew if you are interested. B)

Saturday, March 10, 2012
Sports Basement - Presidio
610 Old Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94129
12:00pm - 2:00pm


RSVP NOW

By attending, you’ll receive all the information you need to take your fundraising, training and Overnight preparations to the next level. Plus, we’ll share how the Overnight Walk continues to make large and hopeful impact in the greater San Francisco area.

Ø Bring a friend or family member with you. They can register on-site*.(Special details below.)
Ø Start a Team or join an Open Team
Ø Attend an Information Meeting
Ø Learn strategies for meeting and exceeding your fundraising goals
Ø Find out where the money goes
Ø Learn more about local training walks and volunteer opportunities
Ø Get to know our Overnight Staff, AFSP Staff, and meet fellow Walkers and Crew members

Don’t delay. Mark your calendars today for Saturday, March 10, 2012. We look forward to seeing you soon.

~The Overnight Staff

Questions or looking for additional information? Contact us at 888-TheOvernight (888-843-6837) or coaches@TheOvernight.org or check out theovernight.org for further details.

[Tyler]

Was wondering if anyone would be available/interested in attending an informational meeting for the Out of the Darkness event on Sunday, Feb. 26th, at 2:30 here:

The PresidioSports Basement Presidio
610 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94129

This meeting would be for any and everyone who is interested in participating - whether it be moto crew, other volunteer, or walkers.

NOTE: If you have already attended an info meeting, you do not need to attend the Feb. 26th meeting but do keep March 10th on your calendars for the kick off gathering.

Please let me know if Feb. 26th would work for any of you so I can let the event organizer know. Thank you!!

[Tyler]

Just a reminder that the Kick Off event for the Out of the Darkness overnight event is coming up this Saturday, March 10th, from noon-2 p.m. If you haven't already registered and would like to sign up for any of the crews, including the Moto Safety Crew, please go here:

https://theovernight.donordrive.com/...rt&eventID=501

If you have additional questions, you can contact the event organizer:

Joe Polizzi, Crew Coordinator
Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk
joe.polizzi@theovernight.org
p: (415) 926-7778

[CRASH]

Tyler,
Is this different than the one we already went to? Can't make this one, but have the May date set aside.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by CRASH

Tyler,
Is this different than the one we already went to? Can't make this one, but have the May date set aside.

Yes it is to meet other team/crew members and get the ball rolling... I'll fill you in on the goings on... the May date will be the really important one as that will be training, etc.

[Tyler]

Thanks to all so far who have stepped up to volunteer their time and energy to a worthy cause. I was honored to be asked to speak to the group today. I will share it with you here if you are so inclined to read it. There is still need for additional moto crew members if anyone is interested. If you can't volunteer, there will be several folks that will be fundraising so maybe toss a few bucks their way to help the cause that way.

My name is Tyler Risk. I am 52 years young, the mother of an amazing young woman, and the survivor of a near fatal motorcycle accident in June 2009 when I was run over by a semi. After surviving something I really shouldn't have, I've questioned why I have been given the gift of a second chance and am still here to tell the tale. I've questioned what is my purpose? Why am I still here? What am I supposed to be doing? And this event, The Overnight, has come back as one of the answers to my questions. A purpose. To give back to others. To reach out to others and share the light that I have been blessed to receive. I have been on that dark side but I am still here to say that there is a better time no matter what you may think.

I am also the founder and President of a women's motorcycling group called Dangerous Curves. In January of this year, I received an email from Joe Polizzi, the Crew Coordinator, looking for volunteers for the event's Motorcycle Safety Crew Team. I looked at the website, watched the video, and realized that this was one of those chances to reach out. Reach out to whoever may be out there because we really don't know how sometimes, the smallest gift of smile, an ear, or a caring shoulder can make a huge difference in another person's life. In my journey, I have felt that gift given to me... and I hope to pass that gift on. We each have the power to do that.

The issues at hand strike a chord with me for some very personal reasons. I've known two fellow riders who have ended their lives by self-inflicted motorcycle accidents, leaving questions and regrets and guilt behind it the event's wake... so many people who wished that they could have seen or known that there was a problem and stopped them from doing it. And the emptiness of the loss of that friend, lover, comrade and the enormously loud silence that followed. It did open up a great deal of dialog within the motorcycle community and I was surprised to find out that many people that I knew fairly well struggled with depression and darkness every day. And it helped me to to understand what their battles were like and brought the topic into the open for discussion not like it was some dark secret that no one speaks of.

And then a year ago, all of this struck even closer to home when a close family member attempted suicide... he was only 15 years old... thankfully it was an unsuccessful attempt. But this brought to light that he was suffering from mental illness and was trying to escape the mental pain he was going through every day... and I had no idea. I was a bit shell shocked when I found out because from the outside view, there was nothing wrong with him so the signs of the internal struggles were masked and missed by friends and family. I felt so sad that he had come to the conclusion that that was an answer to his problems. Every day is a challenge with depression, instability, and struggles which many can't understand because there is nothing physically wrong with him. People that look at him from the outside say, so what is the problem? You're just being silly or dramatic or you shouldn't feel like that. Suck it up and get over it, right? But those who understand know it is not that easy when we fight our battles and carry our scars on the inside. It's like they are invisible and oft times dismissed as not important or miniscule when they are definitely not. Mental illness is no one's fault... it isn't a choice... it is a disorder of the brain and those who suffer from it, deserve to be treated as anyone else who has any other disorder that might be more obvious to the naked eye.

I am here to support The Overnight for my family and friends who deal with these issues every day. I am here to help pass on the message that mental illness needs to be addressed and treated as any other illness and not hidden from view because of social stigma. I am here for those who champion beside the people that they love with mental illness every day. I want them, and others like them, to know that they are not alone, that there are others who want to help, and that there is light at the end of that tunnel. I am here to say if you feel depressed, hopeless, powerless, to reach out to a friend or family member or an organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Bringchange2mind.org, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to get help. And if someone comes to you and asks for help, give it and don't dismiss it. It's okay to do that and there is help, there is hope, there is light.