Over the past weekend, SailAhead participated in the 8th Annual Cars and Guitars Classic Car Show and Fundraiser, which was hosted by East to West Classic Cars in Commack. The primary aim of the event was to raise awareness for PTSD and funds for The Hope For Warriors Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting post-9/11 veterans, active-duty military families, and their communities through various services.
This fundraiser was held in honor of David Pendola, the late Suffolk County Police Officer who tragically took his own life earlier this year. Pendola had served 23 years as a police officer for Suffolk County and 33 years as a firefighter for the Commack Fire Department. Remarkably, he had been attending this event for 15 years before his passing.
As we are all aware, mental health issues do not discriminate. While SailAhead focuses on raising awareness within the veteran community, it's crucial to recognize that a significant number of law enforcement officers also suffer in silence. According to data from the National Institute of Health, the prevalence of depression among officers was nearly double that of the general population (12.0% compared to 6.8%). Additionally, officers were almost four times as likely to sleep for less than six hours in a 24-hour period compared to the general population (33.0% versus 8.0%). The National Institute of Mental Health reports that law enforcement officers have a suicide rate of 18.1 per 100,000, compared to 14.5 per 100,000 for the general population.
An unfortunate reality is the stigma surrounding mental health. It's crucial to remember that everyone deserves a safe space where they can express themselves and seek help. We are all deserving of the same love and care that we readily give to others. If you or someone you know is struggling, remind them that they are not alone and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Reach out to friends or trusted individuals for support. It's okay to not be okay.
We extend our gratitude to Dean Nichol for making our participation in this event possible and for inviting SailAhead to have a presence there. By bringing together like-minded individuals and supporting fellow mental health organizations, we believe that collectively, we can make a meaningful difference.
To learn more about Hope For The Warriors, please visit:
For more information about East to West Classic Cars, visit: