(July 20, 2017) Abundant sunshine highlighted another record-setting Jesse’s Paddle fundraiser last Saturday in Snow Hill.
Now in its ninth year, the event was organized by Friends of the Jess Klump Memorial Fund and launched from the Pocomoke River Canoe Company on River Street.
Kim Klump created the Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship in 2009, and two years later founded the Jesse Klump Suicide Awareness and Prevention Program to honor the memory of her son and encourage others battling feelings of hopelessness.
Fund Manager Ron Pilling said this year the goal was to meet or exceed the more than $23,000 raised at the event in 2016, which was the previous record.
“We beat our financial goal,” he said. “Right now we’ve taken in about $26,500.”
Even better, Pilling said the final money tally has yet to be calculated.
“We’ll probably end up at $28-$29,000 by the time it’s all said and done,” he added.
Although last year’s crowd was slightly larger, Pilling said the turnout was still strong.
“Not as many as last year, but it still pushed 200 folks,” he said.
In addition to raising a significant portion of the operating budget for the scholarship and suicide prevention campaigns named in honor of Jesse Klump, the large contingent also helped increase visibility about a topic all too often pushed into the shadows, Pilling said.
“We raised about one third of our yearly budget,” he said. “We have enough to finance the 2018 Jesse Klump Scholarship, for at least $15,000, and over $10,000 for prevention education work.”
Just as vital as the funding collected, the annual event provides a venue for outreach work related to suicide awareness, Pilling said.
“The Life Crisis Center in Salisbury had an information table,” he said. “Some excellent networking occurred.”
Although end numbers are still being calculated, Pilling said the associated silent auction raised nearly $3,000.
“If it didn’t set a record, it came close,” he said.
While the auction items vary year to year, Pilling noted the bidding was fierce for a 15-ton load of #57 gravel, which is typically used for driveway applications.
“It covers 325 feet at two-inches deep,” he said. “That was probably the most unique and interesting silent auction item.”
Pilling was also enthused to see a number of a monthly suicide grievers support group members on hand last Saturday.
“Some of them are just beginning to feel comfortable enough to talk about it,” he said.
Looking forward, Pilling said plans for next year’s 10th annual paddle fundraiser are already being formulated. While the monetary bar has once again been set to a new level, Pilling noted his continual amazement as the community steps forward every year to back the campaigns.
“The community support never drops,” he said. “Everybody is touched in one way or another by suicide.”
Now in its ninth year, the event was organized by Friends of the Jess Klump Memorial Fund and launched from the Pocomoke River Canoe Company on River Street.
Kim Klump created the Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship in 2009, and two years later founded the Jesse Klump Suicide Awareness and Prevention Program to honor the memory of her son and encourage others battling feelings of hopelessness.
Fund Manager Ron Pilling said this year the goal was to meet or exceed the more than $23,000 raised at the event in 2016, which was the previous record.
“We beat our financial goal,” he said. “Right now we’ve taken in about $26,500.”
Even better, Pilling said the final money tally has yet to be calculated.
“We’ll probably end up at $28-$29,000 by the time it’s all said and done,” he added.
Although last year’s crowd was slightly larger, Pilling said the turnout was still strong.
“Not as many as last year, but it still pushed 200 folks,” he said.
In addition to raising a significant portion of the operating budget for the scholarship and suicide prevention campaigns named in honor of Jesse Klump, the large contingent also helped increase visibility about a topic all too often pushed into the shadows, Pilling said.
“We raised about one third of our yearly budget,” he said. “We have enough to finance the 2018 Jesse Klump Scholarship, for at least $15,000, and over $10,000 for prevention education work.”
Just as vital as the funding collected, the annual event provides a venue for outreach work related to suicide awareness, Pilling said.
“The Life Crisis Center in Salisbury had an information table,” he said. “Some excellent networking occurred.”
Although end numbers are still being calculated, Pilling said the associated silent auction raised nearly $3,000.
“If it didn’t set a record, it came close,” he said.
While the auction items vary year to year, Pilling noted the bidding was fierce for a 15-ton load of #57 gravel, which is typically used for driveway applications.
“It covers 325 feet at two-inches deep,” he said. “That was probably the most unique and interesting silent auction item.”
Pilling was also enthused to see a number of a monthly suicide grievers support group members on hand last Saturday.
“Some of them are just beginning to feel comfortable enough to talk about it,” he said.
Looking forward, Pilling said plans for next year’s 10th annual paddle fundraiser are already being formulated. While the monetary bar has once again been set to a new level, Pilling noted his continual amazement as the community steps forward every year to back the campaigns.
“The community support never drops,” he said. “Everybody is touched in one way or another by suicide.”