Brunswick resident raises $10,000 for suicide prevention during annual fundraiser

BRUNSWICK — The 10th annual Ride for Life Poker Run that took place earlier this month raised $10,000 for Frontline Service, a nonprofit based in Northeast Ohio that works to prevent suicide, end homelessness and more. Brunswick resident Laura Martovitz is the founder of the event. She said she started being involved in suicide prevention organizations after her son died by suicide in 2008. "When my son passed, I just jumped in with both feet," she said. "I educated myself on the signs and symptoms. How can I prevent this?" The poker run starts at the Brunswick VFW post, and bikers have to stop at four other locations through different counties to get stamps. The two regular stops every year are Geno's in Medina and the Draft House Saloon in Brunswick. This year participants also went to Jokers Pub & Grub in Columbia Station and The Run Grille & Bar in LaGrange. "I try to go to areas that give us a nice ride, but I try to keep to small businesses to support the people that are probably hurting the most at this time," Martovitz said. Once completed, the bikers come back to the VFW and draw five playing cards. Whoever has the best hand gets $150 and whoever has the worst wins $25. She said she always tries to do something different every year like serving breakfast at the VFW or having new music played. The annual event has grown so much over the years, Martovitz said. About twice as much money was raised this year compared to 2021, and most of the money comes from personal donations. This year's biggest donors were the Draft House Saloon, which raised $3,400 through raffles, and the VFW, which donated $2,500. "Brunswick just opened their doors to us, which is really, really nice," she said. In 2021, more than 20,000 people were served by Frontline Services, and 51 percent of these people were seeking crisis services. "I mean, the numbers are big, and it's like, 'Oh no, that's terrible,'" she said. "Actually, it's good because people are calling for help. The word is getting out." Martovitz encourages everyone to know the signs and symptoms of suicide and depression. "I tell people don't be shy, because I know everybody's got that little bit of them that will say 'Hey, I really want to help this person," she said. "Step out of your comfort zone and open your mouth and ask if they're OK." She wants to break the taboo around suicide. "I want to save somebody else's life, so my son didn't die in vain," she said. "That's where I'm at with it." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.