GLEN JEAN, WV (WOAY) – With the Mountain State fighting to survive, Wheeling for Hope is passionate about suicide prevention and care to save lives.
Rural Appalachians are more likely to die by suicide than anywhere else in the United States.
So, founder/executive director Michelle Riser was prompted to create a new way to raise suicide awareness after receiving a Rubbermaid donation of large commercial outdoor trash cans.
“We are putting a 10-year car vinyl UV-protected decal on the front with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line and Wheeling for Hope messages, and offering them to towns, cities, or even businesses,” Riser said. “If a business wants to put a can out on their sidewalk, not only is it going to provide the community a message when they walk by and possibly save one person if they see they can call 988, but it’s also going to help to keep the area clean.”
Customize the can with your business logo, as long as the 988 Lifeline tag lines are also displayed on there. The cans typically cost $2,400 a piece.
“We’re going to be able to offer these at such a drastic, drastic discount; it helps that we’re getting some funding for Wheeling for Hope to continue to support the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention,” said Riser. “It’s also going to help these cities and towns save thousands and thousands of dollars.”
With only 84 of the trash cans to go around, they are first-come, first-served for any West Virginia business, city, or town.
“Depending on the numbers you purchase, you can get them for under $1,000 a piece,” Riser said. “I know a lot of these cities pay $600 for the little tiny rain still gets inside them (cans), and these are massive, beautiful trash cans.”
This is another outlet for Wheeling for Hope to save lives.
“Our logo or the city’s logo intertwined with the 988 mission shows the town cares about its community and people,” said Riser. “It’s going to give us constant exposure for many, many, many years to come. It’s almost like a billboard for us that we’re reaching so many people constantly.”
To purchase a Wheeling for Hope trash can, message wheelingforhope@gmail.com or on https://www.facebook.com/wheelingforhope.
