BELLE FOURCHE—This year marks the sixth year that the Belle Fourche community has taken part in the nationwide series of Out of the Darkness Community Walks. The event shines a light on suicide prevention and mental health.
The walk continues to grow each year, with this year bringing a record-setting turnout. More than 340 participants registered for the September 19 event, which raised just under $34,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Walkers gathered in Herrmann Park with registration beginning at 8 a.m.
Throughout the park there were a variety of stations set up. The bead station offered participants a way to identify others who may have shared similar experiences. Walkers were invited to choose beads from the following options: white, loss of a child; red, loss of a spouse or partner; gold, loss of a parent; orange, loss of a sibling; purple, loss of relative or friend; silver, loss of first responder or military; green, personal struggle or attempt; teal, supporting someone who struggles or has attempted and blue, supporting suicide prevention.
The Hope Wall was another station in the park. The four-foot-tall structure had the word HOPE spelled out. Participants were encouraged to share a photo or note or anything they wanted to bring to attach to the wall in memory of a lost loved one or to offer a note of support to others.
The Flags of Remembrance area had 198 purple flags displayed that represented each of the lives lost to suicide in South Dakota in 2024.
There was also a silent auction and a merchandise area, both of which were fundraising efforts for the event. Other booths included registration, a photo opportunity area and the Hope Rocks station.
The Opening Ceremony kicked off the walk at 8:45 a.m. Jim Kallas, general manager for Riverfront Broadcasting LLC, was the MC for the event and introduced speakers and kept everyone informed of what would be happening throughout the morning. “We want to thank you all for coming out, getting your teams registered and want to remind you that we’ll have the silent auction going on for a while… A big hand for you, for all coming out and helping this cause again this morning as well—we appreciate you being here,” he said.
Pastor Tim Smith from the First Baptist Church of Belle Fourche led the opening prayer. Amanda Kramp, co-director of the Belle Fourche Out of the Darkness Walk, thanked committee members and event sponsors.
The walk couldn’t happen without volunteers. “We will start by thanking all of our volunteers—we had more than 30 individuals this morning and last night here helping to make this walk happen,” shared Kramp.
Throughout the morning there were support resources available to those who may have a need. “I just want everyone to know that they have support when they need it. This morning, we want to thank Belle Fourche Counseling for being with us, not only as continuing walk sponsors but also as support. Can [you]… raise your hands for a moment so everyone knows who to look for—if you’re having a hard time today, just please seek them out,” said Kramp. “If you would like someone to pray for you or your loved one, we have caring folks wearing blue faith in action buttons… They would love the chance to pray with you.”
Beyond the resources available that morning, organizers emphasized the importance of connection and knowing that no one has to struggle alone. Sonia Ribordy, co-director of the Belle Fourche Out of the Darkness Walk, spoke about the strength found in that connection. “Look around you today. We are surrounded by people that understand—those who’ve experienced a loss… those who have struggled, and yet we are joined in a drive for hope to live in a world where suicide does not exist,” she said. “One person cannot create that world alone.”
Just showing up for the Out of the Darkness Walk can create a positive impact. “Connection is truly our greatest strength in this fight…Your presence here today strengthens this life-saving connection and the impact that we are making every day to prevent suicide,” shared Ribordy. “Be proud that you are here today. It took courage to show up to let others know that you have struggled, that you lost someone you love… that you are willing to share a statement that you are not going to be quiet and talk about suicide, because when we talk about it, we can save lives.”
Hope was a message carried throughout the morning. “Walking today sends a loud message to everyone in our community that when people come together, hope can win. This is the heart of AFSP, a community of people looking out for each other because you are not alone and because we know that we can all play a role in suicide prevention. Thank you for being here today,” said Ribordy.
Ribordy led the Bead Ceremony, inviting everyone to participate and pausing after each bead color for a moment of silence and reflection. “Each of us has our own stories and our own reasons for being here. As we gather, we want to remember those reasons and we share a symbol to keep them in our sight and in our hearts,” she explained. “Our honor Bead Ceremony pays tribute to a loved one lost, a personal struggle or a victory. They come in many colors, representing the diversity of our community’s connection to this cause. As we call out the bead colors, we ask that you all hold your beads high to represent who you are walking for today.”
As the walk began, the First Congregational Church bells began to toll in honor of Pastor Chuck.
The walk was approximately two miles long. The route started at Herrmann Park and went across Highway 85, then looped around the baseball field and on to the stoplight, down National to the fire hall and ended back at the park. The path was marked with chalk. Those who couldn’t climb the hills or handle the terrain had the opportunity to still take part in the walk by staying right in Herrmann Park and walking the path around the outside. It takes approximately seven laps to equal two miles.
The Black Hills State University drumline formed two lines along each side of the walkway, playing and dancing as they welcomed walkers back to the park. “The Black Hills State University drumline will welcome you guys back from the walk and if you haven’t seen them, they are a ton of fun. They are awesome! They will put a little additional spring in your step as you get back from the walk this morning,” said Kallas.
The next scheduled event is on November 21—the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. The day is about bringing people together that have lost someone to suicide and finding connection, healing and understanding. Ribordy said, “We will be hosting an International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day—it happens the Saturday before Thanksgiving. That’ll be right here in Belle Fourche, and I really encourage you all to get on there and come. It is just for people who have had a loss. It’s a little bit different—much different setting than the walk is here today.”
For more information about the Out of the Darkness Walk, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day or any further information, visit AFSP.org.
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