Sunshine from Darkness is honored to bestow our 2011 Luminary Award upon Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill.

In the public's eyes, skater Dorothy Hamill was "America's sweetheart." In 1976, she was the perky 19-year-old with the famous hairdo — "the wedge" — who won an Olympic gold medal for her dazzling figure skating at the Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria. Her life seemed to glide as easily as her skates. But as Hamill reveals in her frank new book, A Skating Life: My Story, that behind the scenes, she was in the grip of serious depression, which ran through her family.  

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).

We all know someone who is affected by mental health issues. Tribuo, Inc., a local not-for-profit dedicated to giving back to the community and raising mental health awareness, has a healthy and fun way to give hope to those in need: The 3rd annual Siesta Key Beach 5K run/walk for Mental Health Awareness on Saturday, April 17.

Tribuo is happy to welcome back the Manasota Track Club, sanctioning the race again after the fabulous job they did last year, as well as the many wonderful sponsors donating to the raffle for registered participants. You can pick up your registration package at Fit2Run, another big supporter, between April 14 and 16 or at the beach the day of the race — come early!

Tribuo and Sunshine from Darkness would love to have you walk or run with us for this worthy cause.