Community Invited to Support Teen Suicide Prevention Programs Through Virtual Butterfly Bash Event
Now more than ever, hope is needed. The nonprofit Grant Us Hope is inviting the community to help prevent youth suicide by participating in this inspiring, virtual event.
CINCINNATI – October 5, 2020 – A major fundraising event for the local nonprofit leading the charge on preventing youth suicide is going virtual this year, with a new way for the community to get involved and a limited time opportunity to double the impact of their support.
Grant Us Hope works to prevent youth suicide by educating, engaging and empowering young people, creating communities of leadership, advocacy and awareness around mental health and suicide prevention, ultimately changing the culture of schools. The Cincinnati-based organization provides a platform for teens, parents and families to engage in pro-mental health conversations, activities and solutions, and is committed to expanding mental health services for teens in distress. Grant Us Hope has implemented a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program called Hope Squad in more than 150 schools across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
The Butterfly Bash, set for October 24 at 7:00 p.m., is Grant Us Hope’s annual fundraiser that raises money and awareness around teen mental wellness and suicide prevention. The bash will be held remotely this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Small, socially distanced Butterfly Bash parties will gather nationwide to kick off the evening with wine tastings, interactive games, prizes and more. Virtual attendees will hear inspiring stories from Hope Squad members and from school and local leaders about how their support of Grant Us Hope is saving lives.
There are two ways for community members to participate in the Butterfly Bash on October 24:
- Register as an individual and tune in with your family to the livestream of the Butterfly Bash program on Facebook or YouTube from the location of your choice. Cost: FREE.
- Host a small, socially distanced Butterfly Bash party in the comfort of your home. Party hosts will receive a party pack including wine for tasting, party favors, a playbook for easy set up and more. Cost: $50 per person (8 person minimum).
Learn more and register for either of the above options at grantushope.org/butterfly-bash-2020.
The goal of the 2020 Butterfly Bash is to raise enough funds to add 20 more Hope Squads to local schools around the region, which will cost approximately $100,000. Whether participating in the virtual event or not, anyone is welcome to make a gift to support this important cause.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All gifts made 48 hours prior to the start of the Butterfly Bash (October 22-24) will be matched, and therefore doubled, by generous sponsors and donors!
“Though we are unable to gather together for our big Butterfly Bash this year, it has never been more important to support Grant Us Hope and Hope Squads,” said Grant Us Hope Executive Director Dr. Keith Kline. “The uncertainty and isolation young people continue to face during this pandemic significantly increases their risk of anxiety and depression as they struggle with making sense of what is going on. We know that mental health and suicide concerns have escalated dramatically over the last several months. Your support will enable us to expand our suicide prevention programs to help reach and ultimately save the precious lives of more students.”
Youth suicide is the leading cause of death in children ages 10-14 and the second leading cause of death for those ages 15-34, according to the Ohio Department of Health. COVID-19 has only amplified the vital need for schools to provide support to those who are struggling.
Hope Squad members are uniquely positioned and trained to be the eyes and ears of their schools, actively observing classmates who need support and getting them to the help they need to get healthy. The demand for Hope Squad program implementation is at an all-time high.
To learn more or to make a gift in support of Grant Us Hope’s suicide prevention efforts, visit grantushope.org.
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About Grant Us Hope
Grant Us Hope is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit focused on creating communities of leadership and advocacy in support of developing and implementing teen suicide prevention, mental wellness, trauma support, and school safety programs in Ohio schools. Diane Egbers, CEO of Leadership Excelleration, founded Grant Us Hope after her fifteen-year-old son, Grant, took his own life in 2015. The organization’s mission is to advance awareness of teenage mental health issues and reduce teen suicide by focusing on peer-to-peer support programs and early intervention. Learn more and support the cause at grantushope.org.
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