Bacon Street hosted its inaugural Mental Health Matters Awareness Walk in partnership with Riverside Health on May 10, 2025, at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, VA. 

Over 100 community members gathered on that sunny Saturday morning to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma around mental illness. In addition to raising awareness, the walk raised almost $30,000 for Bacon Street, which will be used to provide mental health and substance use services to all of their service areas including Williamsburg, Gloucester, and Newport News.

Before the walk began, many participants took time to write why they are walking on their walk bibs, sharing their stories about why mental health matters to them and how mental illness has impacted their lives.

WMBG Radio – 93.5 The Burg kept spirits high by playing music at the event. They also brought their “unity tapestry”, which participants could add scraps of fabric to – showing that together our small actions can have a big impact.

Bacon Street’s Clinical Director, Ashinna Cole, kicked off the opening ceremony by reminding everyone of the rich history of people walking to raise awareness of issues they care about. She stressed that when we walk with purpose, we can have a big impact. 

The Executive Director of Bacon Street, Kim Dellinger, drove this point home by reminding the crowd of their own impact, saying, “Your presence shows that mental health is not only a personal concern but a community priority. Whether you raised funds, shared your story, or simply showed up to walk, you are helping to break down stigma and build up hope. Every step we take together today is a step toward a stronger, more supportive community”

A fitness instructor from Walter Reed Hospital’s Wellness and Fitness Center led the group in some fun warm-up exercises, and it was fun to see the whole crowd doing squats and lunges together.

And then the walkers set off on their one-mile walk around the hospital grounds. Seeing the line of individuals of all ages – some walking with family or kids or dogs, some walking with coworkers or friends, but all walking in community – was a powerful reminder that mental health truly is important for all of us.

For more pictures from the event, see our Facebook post.