With more than 150 guests in attendance, The Dylan Schopp Sunshine Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, raised over $35,000 at its inaugural Sunshine Bruncheon. The event was held Saturday, April 6, at the Jacaranda Country Club in Plantation.
The bruncheon opened at 11 a.m. with the “Let the Sunshine In” bar serving up mimosas and Bloody Marys while guests browsed the extensive silent auction prizes. WPTV reporter Erica Rakow Reynolds later kicked off the program, which provided education on what can be done to help spread awareness and prevent suicide. Dr. Jessica Leon of Therapist To Go, LLC. served as keynote speaker.
Attendees were treated to a buffet brunch with an omelet station and a fashion show featuring clothing and accessories from Wish & Shoes.
“Every year, the support we gain from the community grows beyond what we could have imagined,” said Foundation Director Debbie Schopp. “This year’s format allowed us to reach an even broader audience and continue to spread awareness about the resources available and techniques we can all learn to recognize the signs that someone might need help. If we impacted the life of even just one person, we can truly say it was a success. Thank you to everyone who came out to support and help spread the sunshine.”
With suicide being Florida’s ninth leading cause of death, and the second leading cause amongst college students, the Schopp family’s mission is to stop suicide, work with mental health advocates, and provide support to those, who like them, have lost loved ones to suicide.
The foundation partners with Weston-based Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention (FISP), working together to prevent suicide and end the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Through education, survivor support, advocacy, prevention program development and research, they aim to help alleviate factors in society that contribute to feelings of alienation, desperation, isolation, and hopelessness.
Proceeds from the event benefit suicide prevention programs and mental health advocate organizations including FISP, the social service hotline 2-1-1, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The foundation also supports Americas VetDogs, The Humane Society, Wounded Warriors and other non-profits.
The Dylan Schopp Sunshine Foundation’s goal and purpose is to celebrate Dylan’s life and help his spirit and energy live on, in hopes of preventing similar tragedies. For more information visit, www.dylansfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About The Dylan Schopp Sunshine Foundation:
The Dylan Schopp Sunshine Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that aims to bring sunshine into the lives of children and young adults. The Foundation, created in memory of Dylan Andrew Schopp, strives to spread positivity and hope through community outreach and public awareness of suicide prevention. The Dylan Schopp Sunshine Foundation proudly supports the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention (FISP), America’s VetDogs, Operation Smile, The Humane Society and other non-profit organizations.
