Category: Events

2025 Calendar

Elizabeth PLeave a comment

2025 Calendar of Events

Join me! 

March 2, 2025

James’ 27th Birthday – Because James was always able to make the best out of any situation, please look on the bright side of every situation you find yourself in today and enjoy a slice of cheesecake to remember how much light James brought into this world. I am donating a birthday cake and paper products for a foster child today.

March 24, 2025

This is the sixth anniversary of James’ death. I’m still so confused and sad. I will spend this horrible day honoring him privately.

April 18, 2025

Carrie’s 25th Birthday – Ephesians 4:32 Day (Carrie’s favorite Bible verse – Be Kind to One Another). Perform a random act of kindness for someone today and then enjoy a cupcake to celebrate the fun that Carrie brought in to this world. I am donating a birthday cake and paper products for a foster child today.

June 21, 2025

The Overnight Out of the Darkness walk is scheduled for this night in New York City.  The Overnight Out of the Darkness walk was designed to start at sunset and end around sunrise, so participants were literally walking (16-18 miles) out of the darkness to shed light on the issue of suicide. These walks raise awareness for suicide prevention, provide a sense of community for those recovering from a loss due to suicide, and inspire Hope in those struggling right now. I am not currently planning on participating but would love to support you if you choose to walk in this event.

September 10, 2025

World Suicide Prevention Day – To help spread awareness about suicide prevention, please share my story, say a prayer, light a candle, check in on your family and friends, and make a donation to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund (www.CarrieCotter.com). 100% of donations go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help those who are struggling find Hope and choose to Live. I believe raising awareness will reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and then more people will seek help.

TBD – September ??, 2025

NAMIWALKS Central Texas – “Walk with us to promote awareness of mental health and reduce stigma by sharing stories and walking together, to raise funds for NAMI’s mission of advocacy…, and to build community and reassure people they are not alone.”  Plan to meet at The Long Center at 8am for leisurely 5k walk to the Capitol and back.  You can sign up and join Team Carrying On here: 

October 26, 2025

Somehow this day will be the 7th anniversary of Carrie’s death. She has missed so much already and I miss her so much every day. I will spend this horrible day honoring her privately, after the Austin walk.

TBD – usually late October or early November

Austin Out of the Darkness walk – Please plan to walk with me to raise awareness for suicide prevention, create a sense of community for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and to inspire Hope in those struggling. More details provided when you sign up to walk!

We will plan to meet  for a quick picture, pick up our Honor beads, and hang Carrie and James’ pictures on the memory wall. The opening ceremony is at 10am, followed by a short walk. Wear your blue Carrying On t-shirt!  More details provided when you sign up! You can sign up and join Team Carrying On here:

I want to help all those suffering from mental illness realize what God has promised: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This Bible verse was still hanging in Carrie’s dorm room on 10/26/17.

2019 Calendar

Elizabeth P

Please join us for the following events this year:

April 18, 2019

Carrie’s Birthday – Ephesians 4:32 Day (Carrie’s favorite Bible verse – Be Kind to One Another). Perform a random act of kindness for someone today and then enjoy a cupcake to celebrate the fun that Carrie brought in to this world. I plan to go pay for someone else’s birthday cake today.

May 10, 2019

Carrie’s graduation from The University of Arkansas. Final plans TBD, but the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Arkansas will award Carrie an Honorary Posthumous Degree during their commencement ceremony at 3pm on this day (thus fulfilling one of Carrie’s goals of graduating college before James).

June 22, 2019 

The Overnight walk in Boston. We will be walking all night long to raise awareness for suicide prevention and to inspire HOPE in those struggling. You can register to walk with us or support our team here:  https://www.theovernight.org/team/CarryingonforCarrie

September 10, 2019

World Suicide Prevention Day – To help spread awareness about suicide prevention, please share Carrie’s story, say a prayer, release a red balloon, light a candle, and make a donation to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund (www.CarrieCotter.com). 100% of donations go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help those who are struggling find Hope and choose to Live. We believe raising awareness will reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and then more people will seek help.

September 21, 2019

Waco Out of the Darkness walk — Meet at Brazos Park East at 5pm. Walk starts at 7pm and ends with a beautiful candlelighting ceremony after dark. Sign up to walk with us or support our team here:  Carrying On

September 28, 2019

NAMIwalks Austin – Because it all starts with mental health.  Join us at The Long Center in Austin for a 5K walk to the Capitol and back. Meet at The Long Center at 8am; walk starts at 9am. Sign up to walk with us or support our team here:  https://www.namiwalks.org/team/CarryingonforCarrie

October 26, 2019

Dallas Out of the Darkness walk – Meet us at Addison Circle Park at 7:30am; the walk starts at 8:30am. Because what else would I do on the second anniversary of the worst day of my life? I can’t do much, but I CAN walk. Sign up to walk with us or support our team here:  https://afsp.donordrive.com/team/Carryingon4Carrie

November 2, 2019

Austin Out of the Darkness walk – Please meet us at the Texas State Capitol at 9am and walk with us to raise awareness for suicide prevention and to inspire Hope in those struggling. The walk starts at 10am. You can join our team, Carrying on for Carrie, by clicking on this link:  https://afsp.donordrive.com/team/CarryingonforCarrie

 

Events in 2018

Join us!

Elizabeth P

April 18, 2018 – what would have been Carrie’s golden birthday (18 on the 18th). We ate tacos with lots of cheese and her favorite cupcakes and then released 18 red balloons on this day.

April 21, 2018 – Out of the Darkness Campus Walk at Baylor University, Waco, TX – Our very own James coordinated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (the national organization) and the Active Minds chapter at Baylor, as well as other staff members at Baylor to host an “Out of the Darkness” walk on campus. This event will raise awareness about suicide and help others with mental health concerns know they are not alone and that there is HOPE!

June 2-3, 2018 – Larry and I will be doing The Overnight Out of the Darkness Walk in Dallas. Each year the AFSP has 2 Overnight walks in rotating cities that last from about 7pm – 5am (17 miles). It is a very moving event and we are fortunate to be a part of it this year. We finished at 3:02 a.m.

September 10, 2018 – Worldwide (anywhere you are!) – September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day each year. This is the day that Larry and I have chosen to be our own call to action day where we will solicit donations to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund (find link on this page). We plan to do this each year in conjunction with a Red Balloon release. Like our Family Day at the Lake 2017, we will be encouraging friends across the country to participate in releasing red balloons for Carrie on this day. We believe helping others find Hope is what Carrie would want us to do. All donations to the Carrie Cotter Memorial Fund go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

September 29, 2018 – Austin, TX – This is the day of the NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) walk in Austin. Because it all starts with helping those with Mental Illness. In 2015 I took a class by NAMI which was very informative and helpful. At the time I was too overwhelmed to think about advocacy…still am, but I want to support them too.  Here is a link to join my Carrying on for Carrie team: team: https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=20322

September 29, 2018 – Waco, TX –  Yes! Same day!  I am also going to the Waco Out of the Darkness walk in the evening on this day. Because I can’t do much, but I CAN walk!  Again, I believe raising awareness about mental health issues will reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and more people will get the help they need. Here is a link to join my Carrying on for Carrie team:  https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=182619

October 26, 2018 – Austin / Waco, TX – Low key plans to be determined to mark the first “angelversary”.

November 10, 2018 – Austin, TX – This is the Austin Out of the Darkness Walk day. It will be held at the Capitol beginning at 10am. I have created a team in the hopes that others will join us. It is called “Carrying on for Carrie.” This should be about a 3 mile walk during the day! It is free to register and join us. Here is a link to sign up:  https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=166225

We want to help all those suffering from mental illness realize what God has promised: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This Bible verse was still hanging in Carrie’s dorm room on 10/26/17.