Support for Joey’s family

In the early hours of Thursday, November 29th our beloved Joey unexpectedly passed away. Joey was a fun loving 14 year old that loved music and video games. He loved playing the drums like his Dad. During the summer you could find him skateboarding around, jumping on his trampoline, or swimming at his grandmas house with his best friend Adaunis. He was a great friend to those he knew. He loved being silly with his little sister and made it a point to drive his older sister nuts as often as he could. He loved to prank people and had a hilarious sense of humor. He was the king of late night snacking and loved pepperoni stuffed crust pizza more than just about anything. He loved collecting things that came in mini form and usually had some sort of fidget in his pocket.

Joey had a mental illness that unfortunately took his life. He struggled with this since he was a small child and it made life very tough at times. He didn’t trust many people and was very apprehensive about new experiences. He had a very large heart and felt everything so intensely. Joeys struggles made him a target for some bullies at school who treated him unkindly. His parents did everything they could to provide him with a happy and healthy life.

Globally, the rate of suicide is alarmingly high, particularly in young men. Around the world, on average we lose a young man to suicide every minute of every day. Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for men and boys ages 10-24. More teenagers and young adult die from suicide than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, strokes, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED. Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 3,041 attempts by young people grades 9-12. If these percentages are additionally applied to grades 7 & 8 the numbers would be higher.

Through this tragedy, its important to bring more awareness to the issue of suicide and hope that this pages reaches someone who may be feeling like there is no hope. Suicide is a permanent solution to an often temporary problem and our life has so much value and purpose. Please speak to someone who can help you navigate your journey. There is hope. To speak with someone immediately contact National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255(1-800-273-TALK) or Lifeline Crisis Chat. If your life is in danger, call 911 or go directly to emergency services.

At at this time we are hoping the community will come together and support joeys family, we hope to raise enough money to help to cover any funeral costs, and also any financial help the family will need while they take the time to grieve their sweet, big hearted, beautiful boy as his mother runs a daycare and father just stated working at Harvey Vogel MFG and will understandably need the time off to figure out how to find their footing and figure out life as a new kind of normal. 

any donation helps so very much and we are so thankful for everything everyone has done, if you are unable to donate a share on social media can go a long way!!