CALDWELL -- It's been almost a year since Boise's Jeret 'Speedy' Peterson lost his life to suicide.
"There isn't one micro-second of one day that I'm not thinking about him," said Linda Peterson, Jeret's mom. "Jeret is my hero, because I saw him in the good times, but also in the worst-of-all times."
However, Linda said she wasn't sad, but excited for Saturday: the inaugural Speedy Peterson Benefit Ride in Caldwell.
Tony Bushnell organized the event. He's a friend of Linda's, and one of the Red Knights, a group of motorcycle-riding firefighters.
"I mean, talk about stepping outside the box," Linda said. "This is huge, absolutely huge."
Bushnell knows all about Idaho's suicide rate, the fourth-highest in the nation.
"That's a list you don't want to be on top of," he said.
So, by way of a raffle and donations, the ride helped raise money for The Speedy Foundation and for the state's suicide hotline.
Right now, Idaho is still the only state without a nationally certified suicide prevention hotline. It's been that way since 2006.
That will change later this year, as the hotline now has enough funds to get started. Right now, however, those funds will only sustain the hotline for two years.
"If we can have events each year to bring funds in, then, we can hopefully keep it going this time," said Bushnell. "By helping each other, we make each other stronger."
Linda said the hotline is a lifeline to people in crisis, like her son was.
"It will save lives," she said. "It's not only important, it is absolutely critical."
Many people at the ride were wearing caps that said "HOPE" on them. Linda said that stands for "Heroes Open People's Eyes." She said awareness and just getting people to talk about suicide will go a long way toward stopping it.
Idaho's suicide hotline should be up and running by this fall. But if you need help now, you can still call their number, and it will send your call to Oregon. That number is 1-800-273-TALK.
If you would like to learn more about The Speedy Foundation, you can click here.
