Teen to Honor Peers in Suicide Prevention Walk

After enduring tragedy in her own family, Alexis “Lexi” Kalmus of Long Valley is raising awareness for suicide prevention, honoring family and peers, and asking the community to join her.

Kalmus, whose grandfather took his own life in 2011, , and is focusing on her own peer groups for this year’s event, her father, Mitch Kalmus said.

Now a 16-year-old junior at , Kalmus is walking in honor of at the school who took his life in 2010, and Ryan Cameron, a 17-year-old Hackettstown High School student who committed suicide earlier this year.

Entering the event just three weeks ahead of time in 2011, Kalmus created a team of 17 walkers.

This year, she’s hoping for much more, and asking the community to join in.

“She has taken our family’s experience, feeling and grief,” Mitch Kalmus said, “and wants to prevent other families from experiencing such a thing.”

The teen is hoping that her peers and their families will help her in raising awareness for this cause and join her team, named “Keep Holding On”. To find out more about donating or joining the team, go here.

Head start at home

Kalmus’s younger sister, Madison, recently performed in the B School’s annual talent show. The elder Kalmus was part of the production, lending a hand behind the scenes.

School principal Jolene Battitori, along with show organizers Denise Garino and Linda Hollander, allowed and aided Kalmus in setting up a donation drive at the show.

Kalmus called it “Long Valley Cares,” and raised more than $200 in donations during the show.

This year’s Out of the Darkness event will be held on Oct. 7 at Waterloo Village. Kalmus has set a goal of raising $1,500, and currently has $215 in donations.

Information and photo provided by Mitch Kalmus.