BARNEVELD — Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program will host the People Helping People gala from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Deer Valley Lodge Resort, 401 Industrial Drive, Barneveld. All funds raised will be used for suicide prevention programs and services in Southwest Wisconsin. According to Wally Orzechowski, SWCAP executive director, the primary focus of the funds is to allow experts to work directly with farmers and the ag community to figure out solutions that work for them. 

“We saw a record number of suicides in Wisconsin during 2018,” said Orzechowski. “And most of those occurred in predominantly rural counties.” 

Orzechowski said that several factors contribute to increased suicide risk among rural farm families, including social isolation, a culture of self-reliance that avoids asking others for help, a shortage of mental health services, and ready access to lethal means. SWCAP works to foster collaboration and build strong support networks at the community level, throughout Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland Counties. 

In addition to raising funds for suicide prevention efforts, the gala will honor winners of the 2019 Community Partner awards, given to those who help achieve SWCAP’s mission. This year’s honorees are Jeff Ditzenberger of Monroe, Candi Fitzsimons of Darlington, Phil and Julie Henneman of Boscobel, Sue Judd of Ridgeway and Chelsea Wunnicke of Richland Center.

The event emcee this year is Dodgeville resident Kevin Hineline, EVP of business development at Dave Jones, Inc. Silent and live auctions will run throughout the evening. Hot and cold appetizers will be available, along with cash bar and music by Stieber and Myers. Tickets can be purchased online at swcap.org/gala and donations can also be made online.