To the editor:

Ashe Suicide/Depression Awareness & Prevention (ASAP) Task Force extends sincere appreciation to all those who attended our Candlelight Memorial Vigil, held Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Ashe County courthouse.

This event, for suicide survivors, included special music by the Ashe County High School choir, a time of remembrance and sharing, candle-lighting, and a roll call of those who have lost their lives to suicide.

The event’s main focus was to further promote the awareness of suicide in our community, and with the help of local media, we feel we have done that. But as we saw the room fill up with people and listened while they shared memories of their loved ones and the tragic events that filled their lives with pain, we realized more than ever their need to reach out. It is our hope that each of you left with the assurance you are not alone and that help and friendship are available to you as you move forward with your lives. Perhaps in the coming year, we can in some way, provide more support for you, the survivors.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ashe County Administration, and especially Ann Clark, for permitting us to use the courthouse rotunda, and to Ashe County Dept. of Social Services, for the use of your conference tables and chairs. Thanks to the Ashe County High School arts department for your work on our storyboards, and to the high school choir for your beautiful music. Special thanks also to Creative Printers and SSS Inc. for providing the wonderful laminated bookmarks we handed out, to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for our candles, and a very special “Thank you,” to Heavenly Sounds for the hard work that went into making it all sound really good.

And last, but certainly not least, our local media