By Esbehidy Hernandez
Zeeland Record
It has been 11 years since Lori Kroll lost her 15-year-old son, Zach Kroll, a sophomore at Zeeland East High School, to suicide.
Zach suffered silently from depression and took his own life, which impacted his family, friends, and community profoundly.
The Love & Lean Walk/Run annual event was organized by Lori Kroll and her family in an effort to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. This event also supports the “be nice” program in Zeeland Public Schools.
The 10th annual Love & Lean Walk/ Run For Mental Health will take place on Saturday, April 25, at Zeeland Stadium. The event will begin at 9 a.m.
What started as a walk attended by only 100 people has only grown over the years to approximately 650 participants last year. Kroll said in an email to the Zeeland Record that she hopes to do the same for this year's event.
Love & Lean is now operating on its own as a 501(c)3 organization, and will now be able to share net proceeds to the following mental health organizations:
• Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, 70%
• iUnderstand Love Heals, 10%
• Team Be Better, 10%
• Winning at Home, 10%
With that, Love & Lean is now recognized as an official nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS, and this change will, in hopes, “to broaden the reach of participant and sponsor generosity, donations will be distributed among these trusted mental health organizations, ensuring that contributions reach multiple communities. As a result, we can help more individuals and also provide broader awareness of education, counseling, support, and prevention programs,” Kroll wrote.
There will be several run/walk options for participants: a 5k walk/run, a 1.5-mile walk, and a virtual walk/run. Only paid registration options include a t-shirt. The scenic route features beautiful wetland trails and bike paths. There will also be a ‘story path’ featuring ‘The Rabbit Listened,’ a children’s book by Cori Doerrfeld, memorial signs honoring loved ones, uplifting messages, connect beads, post-race refreshments, and more.
Check-in and late registration will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday on the south side of Zeeland Stadium. Opening remarks begin at 9 a.m., and the race kickoff will be at 9:15 a.m. Early check-in is available on Friday, April 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Haven Church, 541 Alice St.
For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/MI/Zeeland/LoveLeanWalkforMentalHealth.
Zeeland Record
It has been 11 years since Lori Kroll lost her 15-year-old son, Zach Kroll, a sophomore at Zeeland East High School, to suicide.
Zach suffered silently from depression and took his own life, which impacted his family, friends, and community profoundly.
The Love & Lean Walk/Run annual event was organized by Lori Kroll and her family in an effort to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. This event also supports the “be nice” program in Zeeland Public Schools.
The 10th annual Love & Lean Walk/ Run For Mental Health will take place on Saturday, April 25, at Zeeland Stadium. The event will begin at 9 a.m.
What started as a walk attended by only 100 people has only grown over the years to approximately 650 participants last year. Kroll said in an email to the Zeeland Record that she hopes to do the same for this year's event.
Love & Lean is now operating on its own as a 501(c)3 organization, and will now be able to share net proceeds to the following mental health organizations:
• Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, 70%
• iUnderstand Love Heals, 10%
• Team Be Better, 10%
• Winning at Home, 10%
With that, Love & Lean is now recognized as an official nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS, and this change will, in hopes, “to broaden the reach of participant and sponsor generosity, donations will be distributed among these trusted mental health organizations, ensuring that contributions reach multiple communities. As a result, we can help more individuals and also provide broader awareness of education, counseling, support, and prevention programs,” Kroll wrote.
There will be several run/walk options for participants: a 5k walk/run, a 1.5-mile walk, and a virtual walk/run. Only paid registration options include a t-shirt. The scenic route features beautiful wetland trails and bike paths. There will also be a ‘story path’ featuring ‘The Rabbit Listened,’ a children’s book by Cori Doerrfeld, memorial signs honoring loved ones, uplifting messages, connect beads, post-race refreshments, and more.
Check-in and late registration will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday on the south side of Zeeland Stadium. Opening remarks begin at 9 a.m., and the race kickoff will be at 9:15 a.m. Early check-in is available on Friday, April 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Haven Church, 541 Alice St.
For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/MI/Zeeland/LoveLeanWalkforMentalHealth.
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