Media Advisory: Transit Employees Join Suicide Prevention Walk

By

June 8, 2012

What:
A nine-member team of San Mateo County Transit District employees who manage Caltrain will participate in the Out of the Darkness Overnight walk June 9 and 10 in San Francisco. The 18-mile fundraising event begins at dusk and goes overnight to dawn. The San Francisco Caltrain Station will be the half-way point for the 2,000-plus walkers participating in the event.

When/Where:
Opening Ceremony - June 9 – 6:30pm @ Fort Mason
(Media parking available behind the Great Meadow) 
6:30 p.m. - Suggested media arrival (interviews available)
7:00 p.m. - Guest speakers and an emotional opening ceremony
7:15 p.m. – KGO’s Brian Copeland shares his personal struggle with depression
7:30 p.m. - All walkers embark on their Overnight journey

Kimbell Playground- 10:00pm @ Corner of Steiner and Geary Streets 
(Limited parking available on Steiner Street)
9:30 p.m. - Suggested media arrival
10-11:30 p.m. – Interviews available

Who:
Jayme Ackemann, government affairs officer
Grenville Berliner, schedules analyst
Michelle Bouchard, rail transportation director
Christine Dunn, public information officer
Pete LeBaron, maintenance supervisor
April Maguigad, rail operations manager 
Marie Louise Schwartz-Honor, executive assistant
Gina Simi, former interim community relations manager
Ted Yurek, senior planner

Why:
Suicides on the Caltrain right of way have a far-reaching impact, not only on the friends and family of the deceased, but also on employees, passengers on the trains and the local community. 

Participating in the Out of the Darkness Overnight is one way that Caltrain is working to help prevent suicide.