Resident Joe Longano running 100 miles to raise awareness for Stop Soldier Suicide

Longano is raising money through a Facebook fundraiser aimed towards supporting veterans during mental health crises

Joe Longano, an 18year resident of Mayfield Heights, has been taking to the streets of his neighborhood this month as he aims to run 100 miles in May to raise support for the nonprofit Stop Soldier Suicide. Stop Soldier Suicide is a national organization with the goal of supporting service members, veterans and military families during times of hardship and mental health crises. It aims to reduce suicides among both current and former members of the military, which is 50 percent higher than among those who have not served. The organization’s supporters, like Longano, often participate in running challenges and start Facebook fundraisers to garner more awareness of the cause. Longano said that after reading the military suicide statistics and information about Stop Soldier Suicide, he thought that May, which is National Military Appreciation Month, would be a good time to start tallying up the miles. “I decided it was a really good cause,” Longano said. However, Longano’s 100 miles in May challenge is not the first time he turned his running regimen into a way to raise awareness. “Back in August I did my own 5K every day for 50 days to honor veterans and first responders,” he said. Longano, who has been a runner for about a decade, explained that he learned from his 5K runs that he would need to add some more rest days into the mix to prevent too much fatigue or strain on his legs. However, he still plans on running about 25 to 30 miles per week this month. Additionally, he carried an American flag with him every day he went out back in the fall — a tradition he said he is continuing with his current challenge. He said that while he is not a veteran himself, he feels it is important to support those that have served, in the past or present, whenever possible. “I would’ve liked to have been in the military, but I just have the utmost respect for them and I think there is a need for people to be more appreciative of them,” Longano said. For more information on Stop Soldier Suicide’s mission or to donate to the organization, visit https:// stopsoldiersuicide.org/.

COURTESY OF JOE LONGANO Mayfield Heights resident Joe Longano is running 100miles during the month of May while carrying an American flag to raise support for the national non-profit Stop Solider Suicide.