Event Description
September is Suicide Prevention Month. In an effort to help raise awareness we are hosting our second annual Smile Run. This year it is dedicated to Jeremy Blotter, who passed away November 4, 2014. You can read more of his story below. A portion of the proceeds from this run will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education , and advocacy.
What: Complete a 5K and/or 10K! Set a goal for what your finishing time will be and dedicate your run/walk to Jeremy and anyone else you'd like to dedicate it to.
When: Complete your race any time between September 1 and September 30, 2016. *Medals will start shipping out at the end of August. 
Where: You choose the course and you time yourself (you’ll report your finishing time to us).
Why: To honor Jeremy and help in any way we can to prevent suicide and bring a smile to people's faces.
JEREMY'S STORY (shared by his God Mother, Roxanne): 
Jeremy Reed Blotter was born December 26, 1984. He was an only child, the oldest grandchild and the best cousin, nephew and grandson that his family could have asked for. He was the one at family parties that the little ones would gravitate to and the first one to be on the bottom of the dog pile! Jeremy was an advocate for those less fortunate. He always stood up for the underdog and didn’t like to see anyone go without. As early as his grade school years Jer would come home without his coat, jacket and backpacks. He would explain to us that one of his friends needed it more than he did. Christmas breaks would find him asking to help him give some of his toys to others. This continued into his adult life. He knew the love that surrounded him and he wanted everyone to feel it! One of Jeremy’s proudest moments in life was when he earned his Eagle Scout award. He was always trying to set an example. Fishing and being out in the mountains was his passion. He loved his family, friends, his dogs, and making people laugh. He was the kind of friend that would be by your side through the good and bad times. The first one to drop everything and help! He had a contagious smile and would light up the room with his presence. He was full of shenanigans and no one could guess his next move. He always seemed to be one step ahead! Jeremy struggled with depression off and on during his teenage years. He tried so hard to stay on top of it. We never imagined that it was or even could be so bad for him to want to end it all. Jeremy took his life on November 4, 2014. This was after a wonderful weekend of pheasant hunting, golfing and his dream job just one day away! As always, everyone was caught off guard and in shock. Why did he feel the need to take his own life? We will never know. I do know the impact that Jeremy’s life had on everyone was epic. He affected everyone and brought out the best in all of us. He is thought about, talked about and missed every single day. Suicide prevention and awareness needs to be talked about. Let’s all share our smiles and encourage those around us. We never know what someone is going through. Your smile and interaction could be just what they need to keep going. If Jeremy could give one last piece of advice he would say “be excellent to each other”!
