LOCKPORT, IL (Oct. 22, 2013) – A fundraising event has been organized to benefit the education of the Kurzawski children, who lost their mother Nora Kurzawski in March of 2009, as the result of a suicide. The NK Memorial Fundraiser, an open-skate benefit, will be held at Southwest Ice Arena on Saturday, Nov. 30 beginning at 5 p.m.
The site was selected due to the fact that the Kurzawski family has spent a great deal of time at ice rinks across the Midwest over the past four decades. Jenna Kurzawski, 22, the eldest of the three children and now a senior at North Central College, says the family hopes to honor their mother by helping to raise awareness for depression and suicide prevention.
“None of us saw it coming when our mother committed suicide,” said Jenna, who was a senior at Lockport Township High School on March 18, 2009 when the tragedy occurred. “We knew she had struggled with depression for years, but never thought she would go that far.
“Our hope is that we can help others, so they don’t reach that point. I dealt with those same feelings, and although you may think that it is the better option, it is not. Life’s hard for everyone and you just have to battle through it. There are people who care about you. You can get help. There are many outlets that can help.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Awareness (CDC), there were 38,364 suicide deaths in the United States in 2010, making it the 10th leading cause of death in the country. In addition, there were 713,000 attempted suicides, measured by number of emergency department visits from self-inflicted injuries.
“Suicide effects so many families but it’s very hard to identify,” said Tom Kurzawski, assistant principal at Lockport Township High School and father of Jenna; Doug, 19, attending Joliet Junior College; and Sarah, 17, a senior at Lockport. “Nora fought hard in her battle with depression and we hoped for the best. When the suicide happened, it was a devastating moment for all of us. We hope our experience can help others recognize a potential suicide situation.”
The NK Memorial Fundraiser will be held at Southwest Ice Arena (5505 127th Street, Crestwood, IL) beginning at 5 p.m. Each skater will pay $20, which includes a hot dog and drink, skate rental and one-hour skate to the music provided by talented DJ, Karel King. Tickets can be purchased at the door or reserved by sending an email to NKfundraiser@gmail.com.
“We have so many friends who have been affected by suicide, but you don’t really learn about it until something like this happens to you personally,” said Tom Kurzawski, who met Nora in the winter of 1979 following one of his hockey games for Chicago State University, which was played at Southwest Ice Arena. “We encourage everyone impacted by suicide to wear a shirt or jersey with a photo or words honoring the person you lost.”
This event will be highlighted by a very exciting Grand Prize Drawing for four 100-level tickets for a Blackhawks’ game, including a parking pass, which amounts to a $700 retail value. Each ticket purchased will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing. In addition, one-hour of free ice time at Southwest Ice Area (main rink) will be raffled off. In the SIA Party Room, a silent auction will offer dinner gift certificates, a weekend stay at a downtown hotel and memorabilia from some of Chicago’s professional sports teams.
NK Memorial Fundraiser sponsors, donating $100 or more, will have their name prominently displayed on signage at the event, supporting suicide prevention awareness. In addition to the education fund, proceeds from the event will be donated to suicide awareness and prevention groups.
“Hockey is a big part of our lives,” said Jenna, whose brother Doug has played since he was young. “Our mother loved going to watch Doug play in his games. It really brought a lot of happiness to her.”
Those who cannot attend the event but would like to donate may do so by going to the NK Memorial Fundraiser website www.tiny.cc/nkfundraiser. More information about the event can be found at that website as well as on Facebook.
