Carson J Spencer Foundation Celebrates Solidarity In Suicide Prevention

The 8th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala highlights student, business and community leadership. End Quote

Denver, CO (1888PressRelease) August 17, 2012 - The Carson J Spencer Foundation (CJSF) will welcome an estimated 300 distinguished guests to the 8th annual "Shining Lights of Hope Gala," which will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Sunday, August 26 at the Turnhalle Ballroom at the Tivoli in Denver. The evening affair will celebrate significant progress made in bringing the issue of suicide to higher public awareness.

CJSF's mission statement reads, "We envision a world where leaders and communities are dedicated to sustaining a passion for life." To that end, over the past eight years the foundation engaged leaders in innovative and effective suicide prevention programs designed to create a tipping point of change.

"We believe that our best chance to eliminate the scourge of suicide rests on the willingness of our community's leaders to stand together and say, 'enough is enough,'" said CJSF co-founder and CEO Sally Spencer-Thomas. "We can have the best state-of-the-art mental health services and care that is universally accessible, but if our culture says, 'we don't get help,' we won't. Community leaders can change this culture."

Because of this core strategy of the CJSF, the gala will highlight student, business and community leaders:

• Rangeview High School DECA students will be showcased for winning the Social Enterprise of the Year award. It celebrates their successful train-the-trainer program designed to help high school students have courageous conversations.
• 9News will receive the Corporate Shooting Star award for its leadership in responsible coverage of stories related to suicide and suicide prevention. The event's emcee will be 9News Executive Producer Jack Maher.
• Jeff Lamontagne, co-founder and former executive director for the Second Wind Fund, will receive the Shining Lights of Hope award. Lamontagne gave meaning to his own adolescent suicidal thoughts by sharing his experiences to fuel the empathy that helped create a leading suicide prevention program in Colorado.
• Sally Messenger will be honored as Volunteer of the Year for her yearlong service mentoring the students of Columbine High School. The students developed a business with a mission to decrease isolation and "Combine Columbine."
• CH2M HILL, DaVita and the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority will be recognized for being mentally healthy workplaces as finalists in the Working Minds contest. The overall winner will be announced at the gala.

"The evening will be short on speeches and long on celebration," said event chairwoman, Jenna Anderson. "We want everyone to have a great time and walk away feeling they have supported something very worthwhile."

Gourmet Fine Catering and Total Beverage will offer delicious food and drinks at the event. The presenting sponsor is the Libby Anschutz Brown Foundation. Additional table sponsors include Cactus Marketing, Christy Belz, CoBiz Financial, Colorado Depression Center, Holland and Hart, Highlands Behavioral Health, Lilly, Living Works, MarGeo Inc., and West Pines Exempla. Former Colorado House of Representatives Congresswoman Debbie Stafford will lead live and silent auctions. For more gala information and to purchase tickets, go to www.carsonjspencer.org.

About the Carson J Spencer Foundation
The Carson J Spencer Foundation (www.CarsonJSpencer.org) is a Colorado nonprofit, established in 2005. The foundation envisions a world where leaders and communities are committed to sustaining a passion for life. The foundation delivers innovative and effective suicide prevention programs for working-aged people; coaches young leaders to develop social enterprises for mental health promotion and suicide prevention; and supports people bereaved by suicide

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