'Wauk' for suicide prevention Aug. 26 in Beach Park

The Waukegan Cares Foundation and the Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force will host its 5th annual 5K "Wauk" For Awareness Saturday, Aug. 26, at Founders Park, 10385 W. Beach Road in Beach Park. The goal is to raise awareness about suicide prevention and help reduce the number of those taking their lives.

The event will begin with a warm up at 10:30 a.m. The walk will begin shortly after 11 a.m. In addition to the walk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants can join in activities such as free wellness screenings, a fire truck display, bounce house, kids' games, and a dunk tank. A police dog demonstration will also take place.

The $25 donation to participate includes a free lunch, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register for the walk, go to the Eventbrite URL, www.tinyurl.com/waukaug26.

This year's sponsors include: Sunovion, Attorney Julio Argueta, Coral Chemical, Wixon, Vista Health System, Waukegan Police Association, Waukegan Fraternal Order of Police, Zion Fraternal Order of Police, Norstates Bank, La Michoacana Premium Ice Cream, American Family Insurance Silvia Chacon, Planet Fitness of Waukegan, Studio 21 Hair Salon, Lewis Produce, Rental Depot of Waukegan, Garcia Party Rentals, Waukegan Police Officer Loyda Santiago and Hank's Cleaners.

There is no charge to set up a resource table. Organizations may signup to have a table up until Monday, Aug. 21, at www.tinyurl.com/waukaug26.

The Waukegan Cares Foundation was founded five years ago by Jennifer Granger, the wife of Waukegan police officer Tom Granger, after three Waukegan police officers took their own lives.

The Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force is a group of volunteers who help link people in need with resources and provide education on suicide prevention. When people feel alone, depressed, and hopeless, they can be uplifted by a kind word, a crisis intervention, or a linkage to a much-needed service to address mental health, physical health, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, homelessness, unemployment, food pantries or job development. Lake County Veterans and Family Services is a member of the task force.

Those interested in participating may also register the day of the event at Founders Park in Beach Park.