If you see a blue smiley face painted on a snowbank in the Brainerd lakes area, it is in memory of Jake Haapajoki. This Friday, Feb. 21, marked the two-year anniversary of Jake’s death by suicide and the Smiles for Jake website encouraged people to spray paint the now familiar blue smiley face, "without permanently defacing property!" around town.
Those who took part were asked to share photos or videos of their smile Friday using the hashtags #WeAreAllJake or #PaintTheTownBlue!
From the Smiles for Jake website: "As always, if you feel hopeless and don’t know where to turn or know of someone who is having a hard time, please reach out. Among others, Crisis Line and Bridges of Hope are two great local resources. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available 24/7 – 800-273-8255,
suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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1/4: A blue smiley face is spray painted on a snow bank, Friday, Feb. 21, in front of the First Congregational Church in Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
2/4: A blue smiley face is spray painted on a snow bank, Friday, Feb. 21, outside The Olde Open Window on Laurel Street in downtown Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
3/4: A blue smiley face is spray painted on a snow bank, Friday, Feb. 21, at the corner of Laurel Street and Southwest Fourth Street in Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
4/4: A blue smiley face is spray painted on a snow bank, Friday, Feb. 21, at Gregory Park in Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Growing up in the Brainerd lakes area I realized that I never wanted to leave, so it is a true blessing that I was able to find a job at the Dispatch doing something I love. As a visual journalist, I work in the mediums of photography and videography to bring our readers everything from sports, hard news, weather and local events to slice of life documentation of our coverage area.
