Nanaimo event helps turn suicide grief in a more positive direction
NANAIMO — Grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide is a complex and lengthy experience, one an annual Nanaimo event wants to make easier and more collaborative.
Soles Remembering Souls is Sunday, Sept. 9 at Maffeo Sutton Park. Organized by Vancouver Island Crisis Society, it used to be a somber affair but is now a more uplifting event to better help grieving friends and family.
“It allows people to remember their lost loved ones in a good light,” organizer Matt Dunae told NanaimoNewsNOW. “As much as it’s good to cry and get rid of those emotions, I didn’t want to bring everyone together for a big mourning session. It’s really exhausting having to go and sit somewhere for a couple hours and think about your lost loved ones and cry about it.”
For its 11th year, Soles Remembering Souls features a walk along Nanaimo’s waterfront and live music. People are encouraged to bring photos for a memorial wall as well as shoes and socks, which will be donated to the Homeless Outreach and Support Team and Snuneymuxw First Nation.