Scholarship established after man’s 2023 death
The inaugural Daniel Bennett Scholarship Walk was held last month at Waresboro Elementary School track.
Melissa Jones founded the scholarship for high school students in honor of her 35-year-old son, Daniel, who died August 13, 2023, from suicide.
Jones says she was inspired to found the scholarship to raise awareness of suicide because “in our surrounding area its almost become an epidemic. It’s averaging out between Waycross Blackshear and Brantley County about one a month. People don’t realize how often this is happening.”
Jones wants to make sure people realize suicide affects all ages and all demographics.
“Suicide is not age exempt. It affects people of all ages and for many different reasons. A lot of time we don’t know what the reason is.”
Jones wants to make sure people know that is help available.
“They’re not alone. There’s other people going through the same things,” says Jones. “Call somebody — get help before you make a permanent decision for a temporary situation. We have to raise awareness and stop this.
“Everybody is enough and everybody is important. We’ve got to start talking about it. Suicide is a word that’s become worse than the cancer word.
“Nobody wants to talk about it. It’s hush hush. When somebody passes away from suicide, nobody tells that part. It’s almost like a secret.
“I would give anything if my son had reached out, but he didn’t know who to reach out to.”
Magnolia House Special Projects Coordinator Lisa Manders (left) and Community and Admininistration Coordinator Mary Fogel participated in the walk. Photo by EJ POND
Bobby and Amanda Altman of Waycross walked in honor of a friend who recently died of suicide. Photo by EJ POND
Where to go for help
• Text or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
• Crisis text line: text HELLO to 741741
• For LGBTQ, contact the Trevor Project at www.thetrevorproject.org
• Veterans call 800 273-TALK (8255) and press 1 or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net
• Magnolia House 24/7 Crisis Line: (912) 2855850 or (800) 33HAVEN.
