09/03/2026
It is with great honor that the Martinsville-Henry County Mental Health and Su***de Prevention Walk Committee would like to cordially invite you all to our Memorial Tree Planting in honor of Senior State Trooper Steven Ball on 9/19/26 from 10am-12pm. 💙💜
In recognition of September, Su***de Prevention Month, we would like to invite you and your family, group, business, or organiztion to participate in our 2.0 mile Walk leading up to Trooper Ball's Memorial Tree Planting, and our first "Laying of the Wreaths" Memorial Tree Ceremony for the 4 total Memorial Trees planted at the lower level of the Sports Complex in rememberance of Angelina Moreton-Cobbler, Ian Patrick Wright, and former Patrick County Clerk of Court, Sherri Hazlewood. 🦋
Leading up to our Walk, free, holistic and diverse Healing Arts activites will be offered for all in attendance to promote mindfulness, creative arts expression, and positive mental health messages of support, recovery, and wellness.💚
A Silent Auction will also be held in advance of the Walk to raise much needed donations for the 4 Rivers Community Scholarships Fund 501c3, which covers expensive copays for individuals and youth in our community (regardless of provider), to remove barriers to necessary treatment. ✉
💙 A Special Invitation to Our Law Enforcement Family 💙
In honor of Senior State Trooper Steven Ball, we warmly invite our law enforcement family to join us.
This Walk is an opportunity for us to come together—not only to remember Steven, but to honor the men and women who continue to serve our communities every day.
We would be honored to cordially invite all law enforcement family members to participate in the day's events including the Walk, speaking at Trooper Ball's Memorial Tree planting, or supporting fellow family members, friends, law enforcement family and the community that supports you in your loss, as we reflect and remember Trooper Ball, together.
👮♂️ Virginia State Police
👮♀️ Sheriffs & Deputies
🚔 Local & State Law Enforcement
🐕 K9 Units
🚑 EMS & Rescue
📡 Dispatchers
🏛️ Corrections Officers
🎖️ Retired Law Enforcement
❤️ Families, friends & supporters
We would be honored to have you walk with us.
Your presence would mean so much to Steven's family and to our entire community.
Please join us as we Walk in Steven's memory, honor his legacy, and stand together in support of those who serve.
💙 Never Forgotten. Always Serving.
💜To Our Martinsville-Henry County Community:💙
If you would like to Volunteer or Donate:
Contact @ Jenny Yates for more information on how to volunteer with the MHC Walk Committee the day of our event, sponsor an item for our Silent Auction, or make a (tax-exempt) in-kind donation.
Our Volunteer MHC Walk Committee is operating on a zero budget, and is in great need of a wide range donated (tax exempt) items, including, but not limeted to, a donated Memorial Tree, water bottles and chips/crackers/snacks for participants, auction items for the Scholarships Fund.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Jenny Yates if you know of a business or organization that may be able to provide these or other items for the event itself, or to raise donations via the Silent Auction.
💙The MHC Walk's ultimate goal is to raise awareness of the positive impact and legacy those who have passed, and support and encourage our community on our individual and collective journeys.💜
❤More about Steven:❤
Steven exemplified dedication, compassion and service to our community. Steven was passionate about saving lives. He served the Bassett Rescue Squad for 18 years as an EMT-I Ambulance Driver and Law Enforcement Instructor. It is said that Steven often enjoyed recalibrating ambulance light bars and other emergency vehicle lights on his "days off."
Steven went above and beyond in his profession to serve and protect his community. He received the Officer of the Year Award in 2021 from the Fontaine Ruritan Club and the Henry County Sheriff's Office 2011 Life Saving Award.
During his VSP career, Steven excelled as a Virginia State Police Trooper, General Instructor, and Office of Medical Services during his 13 years of service to the Virginia State Police, Area 42.
Steven was promoted to Senior State Trooper, prior to his passing in December 2025. He is loved and missed by family, friends, colleagues and the community he served.
Please join us for this time of rememberance as we honor Senior State Trooper Steven Ball, and others who have passed, so we may heal a little more...individually, and as a community.🦋
🐦Walk Details:
Small to large groups may walk individually or together.
Children, teens and families often walk together or with neighbors, friends and other supports to connect through healing, support and rememberance.
Volunteers and Participants are invited to wear the official colors of Su***de Prevention Month - teal (blue) and purple. Participants are also encouraged to wear law enforcement family support colors, deep blue, black and white. ❤
Please join Like/ Share this event. All are invited to Volunteer or to participate in our Walk, and Memorial Tree Planting event.
Have a peaceful and restful Labor Day weekend,
Jenny Yates
