Step up to the plate for the Suicide Awareness Draft Softball Tournament

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – September is Suicide Awareness Month, and it’s also when the inaugural Suicide Awareness Draft Softball Tournament will take place.

The fundraiser benefits the Muskingum County Suicide Coalition and starts on Sept. 5 at the Riverside Ball Park in Zanesville. There will also be raffles for gift cards to local business and a 50/50 raffle. You can sign up to play by Aug. 15 for $25 per person with a 3-game guarantee.

“Ages 14 and up with parents’ consent and all levels. It doesn’t have to be ‘oh I’m not good at softball.’ It’s all levels. Honestly, what I’m looking is to try and get the word out there that there is help,” Amanda Harris said.

Event organizers Kimberly and Amanda Harris created this event in honor of their stepdaughter, Adriana Gibson. Gibson took her own life in 2024 and the softball tournament takes place on her birthday.

“You hear about it every day, but it does not hit you until it hits you close to home. You hear about it, you feel bad, and you wish there was something you could do but then it hits you close to home and it’s a whole different aspect of realizing that people need help,” Kimberly said.

You can register by calling (740) 221-4089 and learn more by visiting the Muskingum County Suicide Coalition’s Facebook page. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text at 988.