VIDALIA — Jan Lipscomb spent Saturday at the Out of the Darkness Walk on the Vidalia Riverfront remembering the 20 wonderful years she spent with her son Todd.

Lipscomb lost her son to suicide four years ago and organized the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention walk in honor of Todd.

“It’s a day to remember, to remember him and the 20 years we had with him,” she said. “He was always happy and very loved, and he loved to joke around with everyone.”

Lipscomb also lost her nephew to suicide in March.

“I feel like we want to move forward and other families do, too,” she said. “This walk helps us do that.”

Lipscomb said the walk raised more than $6,000, with $5,500 in online donations and more than $700 donated at the walk. The funds support research and awareness efforts, and Lipscomb said that is very important because many people never see suicide coming.

Lipscomb said the walk aims to help those affected by suicide come out of the darkness and into the light.

“I think it’s important to do something for families who have lost someone to suicide and bring suicide out of the darkness,” she said. “This is a day they can come out, and we can support each other.”

Raising awareness about suicide is one of the most important purposes of the walk, Lipscomb said.

“We need to make people aware, so people who are thinking about suicide can feel comfortable about talking about it and getting help,” she said.

Cousins Christy Thornton and Krys Freeman said they walked in memory of Thornton’s brother Glen Willard and to show people that anyone can lose someone to suicide.

“It could happen to anybody, any family,” Thornton said. “It doesn’t matter, young or old, it can happen to your family.”

Thornton said families should know they’re not alone.

“There are other people going through the same thing,” she said. “You’re not alone.

Morgan and Madelynn White walked in memory of their friend Max Byrd, who they said always knew how to make people smile.

“We’re walking to show that we care, and we miss him,” 14-year-old Morgan said.

For more information on suicide warning signs or to seek help, visit afsp.org or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.