WHITEHALL, MI – For Hayli Fagan, it’s so much more than the subject for her “Current Topics” class project.
Veterans suicide needs to be addressed more than it is, she believes.
The Whitehall High School sophomore organized a veterans suicide awareness night Friday in conjunction with the Montague at Whitehall girls basketball game at the Vikings’ gym.
“Especially for this cause, I think it’s extremely important because this is a topic that is not talked about and it needs to be because I believe it should not happen at all,” Fagan said. “For veterans to commit suicide, it’s mind-blowing because if you can’t care about people who have served our country and protected our freedoms, then what are we doing as a country?”
Whitehall High School sophomore Hayli Fagan organized a veterans suicide awareness night in conjunction with Lighthouse for Veterans on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Whitehall High School. (Scott DeCamp | MLive.com)
Fagan connected with the Lighthouse for Veterans charity based in Muskegon. Lighthouse for Veterans information, merchandise and a 50-50 were available in the foyer area outside the Whitehall gymnasium.
Veterans from Whitehall American Legion Post 69 and Montague VFW Post 3256 marched onto the gym floor for the National Anthem in a pregame ceremony that also featured the playing of “Taps” and a Presentation of Colors.
Veterans from Whitehall American Legion Post 69 and Montague VFW Post 3256 stand with flags raised for the National Anthem during Friday's game at Whitehall High School, in Whitehall on Dec. 20, 2019.Kayla Renie | MLive.com
Fagan said the project of her Current Topics elective class was to raise awareness for a topic that the student is passionate about. She chose to focus on veterans suicide and she wanted to raise money for the foundation in Muskegon.
“First I looked at what local organizations there was and I found this one, and then I contacted them and I got to know them more and then they wanted to come into the school and do a fund-raiser here,” Fagan said. “I sold bracelets and ribbons and I’ve raised a lot of money so far, and it’s just going to help them grow as a foundation because they were founded two years ago.”
You may contact Lighthouse for Veterans at (231) 981-8501 or lighthouseforveterans@gmail.com. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
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