Every year Jack’s Abby teams up with the United Way of Tri-County (UWTC) to raise funds and awareness of the organization’s community programs and services through the Jack’s Abby United Way 5k. The money raised goes directly to the UWTC program participants select when registering: one of the three United Way food programs, the Ready to Read early literacy program, or the Call2Talk mental health and suicide prevention program.
Today we hear from Bob Crook, a Call2Talk volunteer who has participated in the 5K every year since the inception of this race, to find out more about why he participates.
Lifesaving surgery took some of my sight in 2014, but my vision for helping others has never been clearer. For 18 years I have been volunteering to provide emotional support for others in need, working towards the prevention of suicide in our community, most recently at the United Way of Tri-County’s program, Call2Talk.
At Call2Talk, a partner of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, I work with other intensely dedicated volunteers, to help people who have no place to turn. I volunteer in hopes of preventing suicide.
To support this important program, I am walking in the 2020 Jack’s Abby United Way Virtual 5K this October. By walking to raise awareness and funds, I can help ensure this amazing service remains available for anyone in need.
This is my 5th year walking for Call2Talk. In addition to answering calls, Call2Talk also runs a peer-to-peer support programs for at-risk elders called TeleCheck. I volunteer for the TeleCheck program along with five very dedicated volunteers. We make outgoing calls every week to seniors to check in and talk, and to let them know someone is always here for them.
Like many fundraising events in 2020, the Jack’s Abby United Way 5K is virtual this year. My guide, Dan Spruill and I will be walking, and later celebrating at Jack’s Abby in their downtown Framingham beer hall and kitchen.
If you’d like to join the fun by walking or running, you can register here. You’ll receive a $7 Jack’s Abby gift card as a thank you along with a race t-shirt and other swag. 100% of your registration fee will support Call2Talk, or you can choose to support any of the United Way’s programs in the community.
If you are not able to participate but would still like to help, please consider making a contribution using my link, or donate to the United Way of Tri-County. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Bob Crook