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June 2010
Welcome to CONNECTIONS from the KARLA SMITH FOUNDATION.
Welcome to CONNECTIONS, the e-mail newsnotes from the KARLA SMITH FOUNDATION. Feel free to forward this email to your family and friends, and you can read previous CONNECTIONS
and find out more about KSF by visiting our website at www.KarlaSmithFoundation.org.
The biggest KSF event of the past few months was our April 16-17, Change a Mind, Change a Life weekend with Glenn Close. The overall experience was spectacular – with enthusiastic participation and response on all fronts. The core message that mental illness is an illness, not a character defect, was heard or seen by over a million people. Ms. Close is an effective, authentic spokesperson who urges her audience to speak out about mental health problems in order to help erase the stigma which prevents people from seeking the help they need. The weekend was a memorable event not just for KSF but for a large part of the St. Louis/Metro-East community. KSF made some excellent new contacts particularly in St. Louis which promise to be long-lasting. Go to www.ChangeAMind.org for more details of the weekend including some great photos.
The Gala Dinner on April 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel was attended by 130 satisfied participants. With live music before, during, and after the dinner, a large display of wonderful paintings by local artists who also have a mental illness, a series of comments by a variety of speakers including Ms. Close as featured presenter, the night was a hit. Ms. Close was available throughout the event for photos and conversation.
The Cardinal ballgame on April 17 is memorable for a number of reasons. It was the first time the Cardinals showed a Public Service Announcement (the BringChange2Mind, 60 second, Grand Central Station, white t-shirt ad) on the Jumbotron at a game. Ms. Close threw out the first pitch. She was interviewed by Mike Shannon during two innings of the game. KSF sold 270 tickets to fans who wore the Change a Mind, Change a Life event t-shirts. The game also lasted 20 innings which meant extra fun even though the Cardinals lost 2-1.
The media coverage was outstanding, and it is how we were able to get the message to so many people. There were ? TV and radio interviews with Ms. Close and/or KSF representatives, numerous newspaper articles, two large billboards in prominent locations in St. Louis, multiple major email blasts, activity on social networking sites, and excited word of mouth promotions.
Our primary goal of the weekend was to raise awareness about mental illness. But we also raised funds. The weekend generated over $90,000 gross income, which netted about $50,000 which KSF splits with BringChange2Mind. We are very grateful to our sponsors, donors, and participants who made this event a financial as well as a public education success.
We are now developing strategies to build on the public awareness momentum begun by the Change a Mind, Change a Life weekend. KSF has moved into a local leadership position in the public education dimension of the mental healthcare field, and we are exploring other avenues to continue and expand this leadership role.
The annual Erase the Stigma conference, which KSF co-sponsors, is scheduled for October 2-3 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Save the date and plan to attend. Our two keynote speakers this year are Jeannie Ritter, the wife of the Governor of Colorado and an effective advocate for mental health issues, and Fr. Joe Nassal, back by popular demand to the conference. Brochures and more information will follow but save those dates now!
While you are saving dates, circle and underline November 13, the KSF Dinner Auction night. This year’s plan includes adding a live music group to enhance the enjoyment of the evening, some exciting raffle items, as well as the silent and oral auctions, the Karla Smith Award, testimonies from KSF support group participants, a delicious dinner, and an overall enjoyable night while supporting the mission of KSF. More information will follow but, once again, save that date!
Please contact us at any time with your comments, suggestions, or questions about KSF. You can reach us through e-mail at KSF@KarlaSmithFoundation.org or call at 618-628-3129. We appreciate your continuing support as, together, we provide hope for a balanced life to family and friends of anyone with mental health problems or who lost a loved one to suicide.
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