Seth Wolnik

FORESTVILLE — When Joanne Hodkin lost her son, Seth Wolnik, to suicide in November, it brought her to the darkest point of her life. Now, six months later, she is trying to turn her personal tragedy into awareness, in the hopes of preventing any other parent from going through what she went through.

On Saturday, at the American Legion Hall in Forestville from 1 to 6 p.m., Hodkin will be holding a Celebration of Life event for her son, for people to be able to share their memories of him, while also raising money that will be donated to the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County. Hodkin, a social worker herself, wants people to be aware of what suicide actually is, and how to prevent it when possible.

“People don’t understand that suicide is a disease,” Hodkin said. “It’s still shamed and I don’t want people to think that way. I’m very proud of my son. I want people to know about suicide. People shouldn’t be ashamed if you know someone who said they’d do it or if you’re thinking about it. People care about you.”

Hodkin said that she spent the first few months after Seth’s death being angry and not knowing how to channel it, and she believe this event will help her through the grieving process, while also giving back and bringing awareness to suicide and mental health in general.

“You see things on the wall for how to do the Heimlich when people are choking,” Hodkin said. “Why don’t we see posters of how to recognize signs of suicide?”

Hodkin is handling the planning of this by herself, and has gotten donations from places all over. Even the venue, the American Legion in Forestville, was donated to her for the cause, as well as gift cards to various grocery stores and all food and supplies.

“There will be free food, which will be a spaghetti dinner with salad and a cookie,” Hodkin said. “Then we’re going to charge for soda or water. We’re also doing a 50-50 raffle and there will be live music.”

Although Hodkin and Seth did not have a close relationship for 12 years, Hodkin wants to use this celebration to learn more about her son, and hopes it is jovial rather than sad.

“I don’t want it to be a sad thing,” Hodkin said. “I want to know people’s memories because I want to know more about him.”

Hodkin said the family is keeping none of the money raised, and 100% of anything raised will be donated to the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County. All donations were acquired before the first of May. For more information about the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, visit their website at PreventSuicideCHQ.com.