For the sixth year, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will host the Out of the Darkness Community Walk benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6. Over the past five years, Hard Rock Atlantic City’s fundraising efforts resulted in the Atlantic-Cape Walk becoming the largest Walk in the state of New Jersey.
In 2024, under the leadership of Hard Rock Atlantic City General Manager Michael Sampson, The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk and helped to raise more than $280,000. This historic partnership showcased employee participation from every Atlantic City casino property. Over the past five years, Hard Rock Atlantic City has united the local community to raise awareness with fundraising efforts for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This year, the Atlantic-Cape Walk will exceed over $1 million raised for this important cause.
“We are incredibly grateful to Hard Rock Atlantic City for their continued commitment to AFSP’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide as well as to reduce the stigma around mental health,” said Mike Llama, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “With their support, the Atlantic-Cape Walk has grown to be the organizations 11th Top Walk Overall and will exceed over $1,000,000 since its beginning in 2017. Through Hard Rock’s leadership we have been able to engage the communities of Atlantic and Cape Counties to raise awareness, bring comfort to those who have lost someone to suicide and to raise critical funds for suicide prevention.”
This year’s walk will depart from the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk in front of Hard Rock Atlantic City at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. More information on ways to register, volunteer or donate can be found here.
“We are so proud and grateful for our community partners and for their incredible commitment to support the AFSP New Jersey Chapter,” said Michael Sampson, General Manager at Hard Rock Atlantic City and AFSP NJ Chapter Board Member. “These efforts make a difference in the lives of so many and support AFSP’s mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those who are struggling with mental health issues.”
Established in 1987, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide.
