By Amy Byrnes
The weather Sunday morning, May 19 was one big metaphor for the way the Ridge Road Run provides shelter and support to friends and families impacted by suicide. The day started out dreary until the skies opened up, releasing a deluge of rain that forced participants to seek cover inside their cars or Red Bank Regional High School, where the second annual race was held.
The start time was pushed back 15 minutes to 8:45 a.m., and by the time walkers and runners made their way to the start line, the rain had stopped and the skies began to clear, with the sun peeking out
from time to time. According to its organizers, the race attracted 1,421 participants and raised about $65,000 to benefit local mental health programs.
See photos from the event in the slideshow, and read some of the comments from participants.
“We are running for my son, Sean, who passed away on January 23. He was an awesome kid – the kindest, sweetest, most generous kid – who was always
there for everybody else. I’m here with my husband, Stephen, and Sean’s siblings, Jake and Colleen. We have 235 registered team members and have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support.” –Eileen Culley, 52, Brick from team “#CulleyStrong”
“I’ve lived right across from RFH since 1980, and my children went there so when I saw this race was on for suicide prevention, I feel very strongly about mental health and I thought immediately, I’ll jump in. I also just turned 70 and running is excellent anti-depression medication and I run or exercise every day. I want to get everybody off the screen and out to exercise.” INgeborg Perndorfer, 70, Rumson
“A high school friend I grew up with in Washington, D.C. lost his life to this awful disease and I’m here running for him.
I just ran the Boston Marathon for a boy in Shrewsbury (Red Bank Regional High School freshman Ryan Shaughnessy, who was diagnosed with leukemia
in September), and raised $12,000. I’m running today with his dad.” –Tracey McGee, 45, Shrewsbury
“We’re running today for Sean Culley who died from suicide in January. He’s one of my best friend’s brothers. We’re excited to get everyone together and support each other. We need to end the stigma (of suicide).” –Alison Slavick, 27, Manasquan from team “#CulleyStrong”
“I’m running to support suicide prevention and that traumatic experience at RFH that had impacted our town and all the surrounding communities. I think it’s important to bring everybody together to raise support and money. It’s a good thing, you don’t have to really go out that hard, it’s just to show your support.” –Kevin Farley, 16, Little Silver
“My grandson, Michael, took his life 15 months ago.
He was 21 and it was a real shock to us all. We did (the race) last year and we’re doing it again this year. He was a football hero at Rutherford High School and 55 was his number. His younger brother and cousins all took the number 55 and that was before this all happened. Because they loved Michael and he was just a lovable kid. ” –John Melfa, Toms River from team “55 Forever.”
We’re here to support the Culley Strong Foundation. Our neighbor who lives across the street from us, Sean Culley, died by suicide four months ago. He’s been our neighbor for the past 16 years. It’s quite special supporting
his family and Sean’s memory.” –Dan Iadonisi, 64, Bricktown from team “#CulleyStrong.”
“I grew up with Lori (Jarck, whose son – Pierce, a junior at RFH – died by suicide in 2017). Unfortunately, there’s also been a lot of suicide in my family over the years. It’s just a good cause to get out there and support. We have all of us running, my husband and mom, who just turned 75. I’m picking up bibs for all of us for the race.” –Laurie Smith, Fair Haven, from team “Pierce’s P.A.L.S.”
“I first heard about the race from one
of my best friends, who’s a teacher at RBC. Anything I can do to support the
high school kids I try to do and think it’s a great community event. It’s nice to see all three high schools, that may be rivals at times, come together for a unified purpose.” –David Cardamone, 33, Little Silver
“We are very good friends of the Jarcks. These kinds of things are happening with too great a frequency for parents to stomach. People feel there’s some level of prevention that can come about when awareness is raised. It’s also about being together as a community, and with family and friends,
who are supporting the same idea.” –Peter Martin, 53, Fair Haven, from team “Pierce’s P.A.L.S.”
“I’m running for Jack Moore (of Fair Haven who died by suicide in 2016). My family is starting a whole new group to end the stigma (of suicide) and help kids to feel comfortable to seek treatment.
This one hits home. I used to babysit Jack.
They are family friends my whole life.” –Marissa Lecardi, 30, Oceanport, from team “#loveyoumorejackmoore.”
This article was first published in the May 23-29, 2019 print edition of The Two River Times.
