Calling all tattoo aficionados! Buckelew Programs is thrilled to announce the third annual Tattoo for Buckelew. Hosted by Petaluma Tattoo, the popular fundraiser promoting Suicide Prevention awareness will take place on Friday, September 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Renowned tattoo artists from the Bay Area, Portland, and Philadelphia are generously volunteering their time to lend a hand to the cause. 100% of the day’s tattoo proceeds will be donated to Buckelew Programs to support their suicide prevention program.
Buckelew’s Suicide Prevention Program operates one of California’s 12 call centers that are part of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Last year, Buckelew responded to more than 15,000 calls from Marin, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties. The life-saving resource is free and available 24/7 to anyone experiencing any level of distress or their loved ones. The program also provides suicide education to schools and community organizations and peer-to-peer support for anyone who’s lost a loved one to suicide.
“Buckelew’s mission revolves around positively impacting the lives of those affected by mental health challenges, and suicide awareness is at the heart of that mission,” said Chris Kughn, CEO of Buckelew Programs. “Tattoo for Buckelew is not just about raising money – money invested in saving lives – it’s also about destigmatizing mental health challenges and creating compassion and conversation around suicide.”
For Nick Rodin, the owner of Petaluma Tattoo and founder of the event, promoting Suicide Awareness is a responsibility. Having lost his younger brother and a close friend to suicide in 2009 and having difficulty talking about what happened for nearly a decade, organizing the fundraiser was a chance to speak with others about his experience.
“I always knew that when I opened my own shop, I wanted to do this every year to honor my brother,” says Nick Rodin, owner of Petaluma Tattoo. “I lost my brother in September. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The timing made perfect sense to me.”
