The Legacy Fund is an opportunity to recognize individuals whose lives have been touched by mental illness or whose circumstances have made a significant impact on the lives of others. Tributes received through this initiative will help increase awareness about mental health disorders by sharing the personal impact they have on the lives of various people throughout the community. The Legacy Fund is the donation component of the Tributes & Talents Series, an ongoing initiative that invites individuals or groups who have been touched by mental illness either personally or through the struggles endured by a loved-one to share a story of healing, survival and hope. Stories may be shared in written or artistic form through music, spoken word, poetry, monologue, song, dance, comedy and more.
TRIBUTE CATEGORIES
There are five categories of tribute gifts available through The Legacy Fund. Mental Fitness recognizes that there are various reasons and ways people choose to give. Therefore, Anonymous Tributes are always an option for donors who want to designate their financial contributions privately to The Legacy Fund without sharing personal information or receiving public recognition.
MEMORIAL TRIBUTES are established in memory of a lost loved one to provide grieving friends and family an opportunity to celebrate their loved one’s life, to share a message of hope, and to support the need for prevention and treatment of mental health disorders.
Example: The Travis R. Simpson Legacy Award – Named in memory of a young high school student who battled depression and died by an accidental overdose, The Travis R. Simpson Legacy Award provides wellness workshops and materials to teens through all District 10 schools. Each year Trevor’s parents are invited to present a plaque to one District 10 high school that demonstrates outstanding efforts to offer prevention programs and resources to teens.
SURVIVOR TRIBUTES are established in honor of a mental health survivor who has overcome struggles and found a productive way to live a healthy, happy life.
Example: The Johnny Rocket Award – Named in honor of a man living with bipolar disorder who became a successful poet, devoted husband and father of three, The Johnny Rocket Award provides the opportunity for five teens struggling with mental illness to receive a Mental Fitness-in-a-Box Teen Self Care Kit and to attend MindSet Development Workshop for Teens.
ADVOCACY TRIBUTES are established in honor of someone whose passion for mental health or work in a related industry has made a significant impact on the community and/or the lives of others.
Example: The Rhonda M. Bailey Award – Named in honor of her work as a mental health counselor and founder of The Rainbow Coalition, The Rhonda M. Bailey Award provides wellness workshops and materials to teens in the LGBTQ community and recognizes an individual who demonstrates outstanding peer leadership, strength and courage.
CORPORATE TRIBUTES recognize businesses whose monetary contribution supports an award designed for a specific purpose and/or targeted recipient(s).
Example: The Henderson Oil Company Award is awarded to 24 high school students in Rowen County. Each award recipient will receive a Mental Fitness-in-a-Box Group Leader Kit and free enrollment in the Peer 2 Peer Leadership Workshop.
PERSONAL TRIBUTES offer recognition to a contributing individual or family whose monetary contribution provides substantial support to establish an award designed for a specific purpose and/or targeted recipient(s).
Example: The Kristen Bell Award sponsors 12 agency providers to attend the Training 4 Trainers Workshop and to receive a Mental Fitness in-a-Box Group Leader Kit.
SETTING UP A TRIBUTE
To set up a tribute through The Legacy Fund, please submit an online registration form. Once your registration is received, a member of the Mental Fitness team will contact you. Our staff provides individual attention and care while setting up each Tribute to ensure they are designed in the most appropriate way and to help determine how the fund will make the greatest impact.
WHAT MENTAL FITNESS PROVIDES
- Planning session to determine the details of the designated Tribute
- Fundraising recommendations and resources
- Assistance with planning a schedule to promote related activities
- Opportunity to share stories through the Tributes & Talents Series
- Tribute listing on The Legacy Fund web page
THE BEACON AWARDS
To ensure the greatest impact, Mental Fitness has created The Beacon Awards to provide recognition for all tributes with an annual contribution of $10,000 or more. The Beacon Awards will be held in Fall 2021 to announce the details and recipients of each award. While this special event focuses on annual awards of $10,000 or more, other Tributes will receive an honorable mention and the opportunity to share stories through the Mental Fitness Tributes & Talents Series.
AWARD PROMOTIONS
- A brief description of each Award included on The Legacy Fund web page
- Links to any personal tribute pages or other relative sites
- Social media posts to promote your campaign through Mental Fitness
- Media coverage with recognition and information about awards
- Staff support with identifying and contacting award recipients
- Event participation and recognition at The Beacon Awards