From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 22, Sunshine From Darkness is hosting an evening of cocktails and inspiration at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota for anyone interested in learning more about SFD activities and the many opportunities to “Be a Hero.”

There is no cost for the event, but reservations are requested by contacting Marlene Hauck at (941) 504-6717 or Marlene@SunshinefromDarkness.org

As you know, superheroes often travel in clusters so attendees are encouraged to bring a group of friends and form a team to sign up together! There will be a special prize for the largest team of heroes/volunteers signing up at the event.

Sample volunteer assignments are:

Symposium Committee: Help make our symposium a success!
The annual Journey to Wellness Symposium is a free half-day educational event open to the public with prominent international research scientists and celebrities. The next Symposium will be held on Sat., Jan. 8, 2011 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
 
Gala Committee: important to the success of our fund raising efforts!
This committee meets once monthly October through December. Its primary objective is to boost attendance at our annual Gala and to help as needed prior to the event.

“It was a Tuesday afternoon… about 2 o’clock.  I was standing in my kitchen when I got the call.  I will never forget that day” says Dorothy Kreisman when asked about her daughter’s illness.  Diane was a sophomore at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. when she made the call to her parents that afternoon in early 1975: “Mom, something just doesn’t feel right with me…I don’t know what’s wrong…In class, I listen to the professor and I can’t retain what he is saying…When I read my textbooks, I can’t remember or understand what I just read.  Some days, I can’t even get out of bed.”  Diane Kreisman was then just 19 years old.  

For the first time in her life, she began feeling overwhelmed by high levels of anxiety and severe symptoms of depression that interfered with her ability to carry out her normal, day to day activities and perform well in school.  Her parents, Norman and Dorothy, describe that afternoon as the start of a long journey that eventually took them from Long Island, New York to sunny Sarasota, Florida more than 11 years later.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the first annual Diamonds in the Rough Mental Health Awareness Luncheon at Michael's on East, April 29, 2010.

Event organizers Emily Walsh Parry and Marlene Hauck did a fabulous job putting together an elegant, feel-good luncheon for a great cause. Champagne was served to the many guests who mingled around beautiful white hydrangea centerpieces.

The first Diamond Awards for achievements in raising awareness went to honorees Norman, Diane and Dorothy Kreisman after an informative and entertaining presentation by guest speaker Beatty Cohan (photo above right with Vanessa Schadt by Stephanie Hannum).

11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Michael’s On East
“Revealing the Sparkle: 3 secrets that will change your life”
with Beatty Cohan Hosted by SUNSHINE FROM DARKNESS
Benefiting the International Mental Health Organization (IMHRO)

Share some quality time with Beatty as she helps us all dig into the things that might be blocking our unique sparkle within. This nationally recognized psychotherapist and coauthor, with her husband Elliot, of For Better, For Worse, Forever – Discover the Path to Lasting Love (Chandler House Press, 1999, 3rd ed. 2008) is highly regarded for her expertise, insight and straight-talking engagement of real issues that so many of us face – including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction and relationship difficulties. This exquisite pair of earrings, an original design by Judith Ripka who has donated them to Sunshine from Darkness, will be the grand raffle prize for one lucky winner.  Raffle tickets will be sold in advance and at the event. The winner need not be present at the luncheon.