6th Annual Survivor Day 5K

The 6th Annual Survivor Day 5K will take place on November 22, 2025 in person at 5 Wanamaker Municipal Complex, Island Heights, NJ 08732. Register by November 1st to ensure you get to pick your T-shirt size!  After November 1st, we cannot guarantee your size. 

Survivor Day was designated by the U.S. Congress as a day when those affected by suicide can join together for healing and support. It was designated the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as the holidays are often a difficult time for suicide loss survivors. 

For the 6th year in a row we are asking all of our family and friends to come together in unity to run or walk a 5K in memory of Christian Schenk and in support of all those mourning his loss the week before his birthday. 

This year, we will also be honoring Thomas Winters. Thomas lived a life marked by love of family, friendship and community. Tom was raised in Jackson, New Jersey from a very young age. Tom was a son, a brother and a proud uncle.  He worked for 13 years as a lifeguard in Lavallette and Island Beach State Park, New Jersey.  He loved being at the ocean and being friendly with everyone he came in contact with. Tom had an endearing smile that revealed a deep goodness inside of him. This enabled him to make countless lifelong friendships almost instantly. Tom’s relationships with his friends and family were etched with a distinct and unmistakable loyalty. Tom was 52 years old when he lost his life to mental illness and suicide.  His legacy of loyalty to family, friends and community is remembered for the challenges he faced, the smile he shared, and the joyful laughter he brought to everyone, especially his family and friends who miss him very dearly. 

The anniversary of these deaths are stark reminders of the lasting effects that loss and grief have on surviving families as well as the importance of bringing communities together to support one another.