PARTICIPATING PHOTOGRAPHERS prepare for the Photography Fundraiser for Suicide Prevention and Awareness, which was held Feb. 25 at Lewisville Park. Photo taken by Mindy Marie Photography.
The Teen Suicide Awareness Photography Fundraiser held Feb. 25 at Lewisville Park turned out “amazing,” according to event organizer and photographer Korie Accetta.
“Even with the freezing weather, snow and rain, we had a great turn out,” Accetta said. “We stayed busy all day and met some great people in the community. I was even lucky enough to meet our mayor and get a couple pictures with her. A highlight for me was photographing some students from Battle Ground High School and Prairie High School who were telling me stories about the teens who had taken their own lives. They seemed very open to talk to me and just get a chance to get out emotions.”
Accetta organized the fundraising event where attendees were able to participate in a 20-minute photo shoot and receive a CD containing 10 photos from their shoot. There was no set cost for the photo shoot, as it was by donation only.
The event included photographers from Korie Nicole Photography, owned and operated by Accetta, OG Photography, Red Letter Days Photography, Mindy Marie Photography and Beyond Beauty Photography.
“Teenage suicide is getting worse by the year,” Accetta said before the event. “I remember in high school how cruel some kids can be and how hard times can be with the loss of a fellow classmate. I have two daughters myself and it terrifies me that one day they may go to a high school where bullying, suicide prevention, etc. isn’t explained or talked about.”
Accetta said the money raised at the Feb. 25 fundraiser is being used to help put on a You Matter: Teen Suicide Awareness, Prevention and Coping event Tues., March 27, 7-8:30 p.m., at Faith Center Church, 10702 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and students, family and community members are invited to attend. Award-winning speaker Mike Miller will speak during the event.
There will be T-shirts, posters and stickers available for purchase.
Accetta said they have also started a You Matter Facebook page to help get the word out to the community about upcoming events, www.facebook.com/youmatterteensuicidepreventionandawareness. The page contains updates for the latest events, photo shoot fundraisers coming up, pictures from all the photographers, behind-the-scenes photos and a new photo project that Accetta said they are very excited about. She said the project involves students from Prairie and Battle Ground high schools and any students from these schools who are interested in being a part of this photography project should contact Accetta at korienicole@hotmail.com or www.facebook.com/korienicolephotography.
Accetta said they will be holding another photography fundraiser in April, exact dates and locations will be announced in a couple of weeks and those interested can check out www.facebook.com/korienicolephotography for details.
