08/21/2007 GhostLight Productions Sponsors "Into the Light III"
GhostLight Productions, LLC is this year's sponsor of Into the Light III, the annual fundraising walk to benefit Suicide Prevention Education Alliance of Northeast Ohio (SPEA), to be held on September 30. GhostLight Productions Chairwoman and CEO Deb Smythe Hermann was the walk's project manager in 2004 and 2005 before GhostLight Productions assumed complete production of the event in 2006 and again this year. In the past three years of her involvement, Deb has helped SPEA raise over $200,000 to support the organization’s mission to prevent suicide and promote recognition of adolescent depression through education and alliances with community partners.
This year's walk will once again be held at the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo with anticipated participation by 750 walkers, up an astounding 50% over last year's 500. The goal of this year's event is to raise over $100,000. SPEA's mission became especially important to Deb after her 16-year-old nephew took his life in 2004. "GhostLight is incredibly proud to sponsor this year's walk," says Smythe Hermann. "It is a very small way in which I can show support to my sister and to my niece for their unbearable grief and unwavering bravery in the face of their loss."
Suicide Prevention Education Alliance (SPEA), formerly known as American Foundation of Suicide Prevention of Northeast Ohio (AFSP), was founded in 1992 by Lyman H. Treadway, a survivor of suicide, at the urging of Howard S. Sudak, M.D., former Vice Dean, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.
In its earlier years, SPEA taught more than 5,000 professionals with access to youth -- physicians, school counselors, social workers, nurses, clergy, teachers, law enforcement officers -- and parents how to identify individuals who may be suffering from major depression and/or may be at risk of suicide; how to respond; and where to refer.
SPEA was continually urged to serve youth directly. In response to the community need, SPEA developed its signature program, Recognizing Adolescent Depression and Suicide Prevention. Since December 2000, SPEA Instructors have delivered the program to 30,000 students in 52 schools in Greater Cleveland. SPEA continues to provide "Gatekeeper Training" to those professionals with access to youth; yet, the organization's primary focus is its school prevention program.
Formed in 2006, GhostLight Productions, LLC is a full‐spectrum integrated event design, production and management company. With over 50 years combined industry experience, Deborah Smythe Hermann, Chairwoman and CEO, and David Shimp, President and COO, form the backbone of GhostLight Productions. The company's award-winning events and their full commitment to exceeding their clients' objectives have contributed to their unprecedented growth. Visit www.ghostlightllc.com to learn more.
