This browser does not support the Video element.
Man completes 'Portage for a Purpose' journey
A Minnesota man completed his journey carrying a canoe hundreds of miles to raise awareness of suicide as well as funding for mental health services.
(FOX 9) - A Minnesota man finally completed his mission to carry his canoe a distance equal to the Superior Hiking Trail, a mission he dubbed "Portage for a Purpose" to help promote suicide prevention.
On Oct. 5, Evan Hansen announced he completed his journey - 35 days and 313 miles later.
Evan is working to raise money for NAMI and raise awareness of suicide. (Credit: CHRIS ROGERS/WINONA POST)
During his journey, Hansen collected 645 names on his canoe and raised more than $25,000 for the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
A couple of years ago, Evan lost four people within his social circles to suicide. He wanted to honor their lives and help raise money to save others.
"The big message [is] to tell people who are grieving the loss of a loved one, or contemplated suicide or attempted suicide is that you’re not alone, you’re not a burden," Hansen told FOX 9 before his journey.
Just days before his launch date, wildfires threw Hansen a curveball. With thousands of dollars of pledges lined up for his journey, he had to quickly come up with a new plan.
Instead, he and his canoe would trek across the southern third of the state, from the South Dakota border near Luverne all the way to Wisconsin, a total of 313 miles. The goal is to raise $100,000 for NAMI in his hometown of Rochester.
For more information on Hansen's journey or for information on how to donate, click here.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Man carries canoe across Minnesota to raise awareness of suicide prevention
A man hauling a canoe by foot across the state of Minnesota is on a mission to honor people who’ve lost their lives to suicide while raising money and awareness of mental health organizations.