Concern Hotline Celebrates 55 Years

Our conversation today with Rusty Holland, Executive Director of Concern Hotline was FULL of great information. He told us about the success of his recent Ping Pong Tournament and gave details for their 55th Anniversary Celebration. The event will take place on April 20, 2023, from 5:30pm - 9pm at Fox Meadow Barn. It will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres from local area restaurants & chefs such as Bonnie Blue, Cafe Del Sol, Flavors by Sodexho, and even a raw bar from Village Square. He has partnered with The Monument to offer "libations" and Low Water Bridge will be performing. Tickets are $55 each and can be purchased here: https://events.humanitix.com/concern-hotline-55th-anniversary-celebration  We discussed why fundraisers are vital to his organization and talked about several new changes that will be coming in the next several months. He explained the process they are currently undergoing to be certified in order to participate in the 988 system.  Rusty also told us about a few trainings that they're offering to become a listener on the hotline (May 13) as well as an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) that will take place April 13 & 14, 2023, in partnership with Laurel Ridge Community College. You can call Rusty at 540-536-1632 for more information about either of these opportunities. Learn more about the work Concern Hotline does in our community and how you can get involved by following them on Facebook. Concern Hotline is a free 24/7/365 anonymous information & referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention hotline serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. They are staffed by a caring community of volunteers. Crisis can affect anyone at a moment's notice, and Concern Hotline is here to help anytime, day or night. Their trained volunteers are respectful, compassionate, and confidential listeners who listen to your stories of hardship, and bear witness to your struggle to live a happy, healthy life.