JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Neptune Beach organization hosted a fundraiser in Patton Park for suicide prevention resources on Saturday.
Patton Park became a place of remembrance and hope as family, friends, and the community gathered for the 3rd annual Ashlee’s Voice event.
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When family and friends talk about Ashlee Kegley, nothing but smiles and happy memories come to mind.
“A very exciting person that came to practice every day, worked hard every day,” Reggie Mcafee, her soccer coach, said.
Three years ago, a 17-year-old was just starting her senior year of high school. After a battle with depression, she ended up taking her own life. Pictures were on display in Patton Park telling Kegley’s life story, from dressing up at Halloween, to dips in the pool, and growing into a young adult.
Here Tomorrow has been a driving force behind the event. The Neptune Beach organization receives the proceeds and makes its resources available.
“It means community, it means family, and it means healing,” Maia Savage and Emily Pope said. “We provide peer support at zero cost, there’s no wait. There’s no judgement.”
Ashley was an athlete at heart. She loved to play soccer and score some goals. Mcafee said his former captain was a hard-working player who made a difference on and off the field.
“Ashlee’s voice still, even though she’s gone, she’s still here and her voice will be heard and to maybe help somebody who is struggling,” Mcafee said.
Her former teammates were playing soccer in her honor, the very thing that brought people closer to Kegley in the beginning.
“She was really a game-changer in me forming my foundation here,” Cailtlin Connolly said.
When Connolly’s family first moved to Jacksonville, her first-ever friend was Kegley. She said it meant a lot to her.
“I have to remember my first day, she welcomed me with open arms and I definitely was really scared of moving states completely,” she said.
Connelly is heading into her junior year at Auburn University and Kegley’s story is what inspired her to pursue her major.
“It was a strong part of me wanting to study psychology in college, was really understanding the different things people are going through and understanding how you can best help them,” Connelly said.
Click here to buy shirts or donate to the Ashlee’s Voice Memorial fundraiser.
If you are in need of help, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7/365.