Ice Sculpture Honoring Suicide Awareness Vandalized in Appleton

The sculpture was part of the annual Avenue of Ice Carvings event in downtown Appleton.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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An ice sculpture created by the Center for Suicide Awareness as part of the annual Avenue of Ice Carvings event in Appleton, Wisconsin was intentionally vandalized and destroyed overnight. Surveillance footage captured a suspect picking up the platform and throwing it to the ground, destroying the only sculpture damaged during the incident.

Why it matters

The Center for Suicide Awareness' sculpture was meant to symbolize that 'love can reach someone who is struggling' and was a core part of the organization's mission to promote kindness. The vandalism of this sculpture is seen as a setback for raising awareness around suicide prevention in the community.

The details

The Center for Suicide Awareness' ice sculpture featured two hands coming together in the shape of a heart. It was one of 26 handcrafted ice sculptures that were part of the annual Avenue of Ice Carvings event in downtown Appleton, with this year's theme being 'What We Love About Wisconsin'. Surveillance footage captured a suspect picking up the platform and throwing it to the ground, destroying the Center for Suicide Awareness' sculpture which was the only one damaged during the incident.

  • The vandalism occurred overnight on February 22, 2026.

The players

Center for Suicide Awareness

A local non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention and awareness in the Appleton community.

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What’s next

Appleton police are investigating the vandalism incident and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

The takeaway

This act of vandalism against a sculpture honoring suicide awareness is a disappointing setback for the community, but it also highlights the importance of continuing to promote kindness and support for those struggling with mental health issues.