Coach Doug Merrill of BG author of “Fighting the Demon of Suicide” recognized by Wagoner & Ohio Senate
This in via e-mail from the office of Senator Mark Wagoner:
Columbus – At Wednesday’s Senate Session, State Senator Mark Wagoner (R-Ottawa Hills) welcomed Coach Doug Merrill of Bowling Green, Ohio to the Ohio Senate to present him with an honorary Senate resolution. Merrill was recognized for his efforts to promote positive mental and physical health, especially among our young people.
Merrill, a former Bowling Green High School teacher and coach who has traveled the country as a motivational speaker and authored “Fighting the Demon of Suicide,” speaks from experience. He endured the suicides of eight people close to him and has tried to make the best of these tragedies by raising awareness about suicide and how to prevent it. In the fall of 2009, he left from Boston, Massachusetts, and ran nearly 2,000 miles to Key West, Florida, stopping to speak in communities along the way and to raise funds for his foundation “Power Up.” He ran approximately 13 miles per day, concluding his run in April. Power Up seeks to provide resources to community programs that support physical and mental wellness.
Senator Wagoner had the opportunity to run for “just a couple” of miles with Coach Merrill prior to his “Run for the Keys” effort.
“It is an amazing person who can turn tragedy into positive action,” Wagoner said. “Coach Merrill’s passion and persistence have changed people’s lives and we in Northwest Ohio couldn’t be more proud of him.”
For more information about Power Up, please visit www.powerupfoundation.org.
Photo caption: Senator Wagoner honors Coach Doug Merrill on the Senate floor. Also pictured is fellow Northwest Ohio Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo).
Coach Merrill,
Keep up the good work!
May 13th, 2010 at 9:30 am