In order to see the benefits of a special cause, it often takes a lot of hard work. That is exactly what Mary Moore is doing to prolong the memory of her late son, Cassidy Taylor Moore.

Cassidy committed suicide almost two years ago and it hit many Baker University students and people in the Baldwin community with a wave of numbness.

Mary knew that she needed to do something positive in Cassidy’s name, so it led her to start “Feathers for Cass.” The event benefits Headquarters, a counseling service in Lawrence that provides suicide prevention counseling 24 hours, seven days a week for free to anyone in need.

To commemorate the life of Cassidy and promote awareness for suicide prevention, anyone is able to purchase a feather to wear in their hair for $10, and all proceeds and donations go to the Suicide Hotline and Bereavement program.

“The effect the event had on my family last year was phenomenal. It was so comforting to see that so many people wanted to help and were there for support,” Moore said. “It made me open my heart more to other people’s feelings.”

The event lasts the month of September and has the main goal of creating awareness of suicide prevention and to keep what happened to the Moore family from happening to another.

“We raised an unbelievable amount (of money) last year, and I would be happy to raise half of that this year,” Moore said.

Moore wrote a pledge to help prevent others from committing suicide and to get individuals to make a promise to themselves to seek help if they have any feelings of depression. It is a promise to one’s self, family and friends.

“I just want the cause and my promise poem to help others realize to reach out and get help for themselves or for anyone they know that is in need of help from feelings of depression,” Moore said.

Please place your hand over your heart and say these words:<strong>Please place your hand over your heart and say these words:</strong> Please place your hand over your heart and say these words:

I promise to seek out help whenever I feel hopeless.

I promise to seek out help if I ever have a thought of hurting myself.

I promise to seek out help for anyone I know who may be suffering from depression.

I promise to seek out help through my family, friends, professionals, and God.

I promise to be kind, loving, and forgiving to myself and others.

I promise to have the strength and courage to carry out my promise

Mary Moore April 2012<em>Mary Moore April 2012</em>Mary Moore April 2012