In case you haven't seen the news on our Facebook page, we would like to share our Drewfest 2023 results and work with you here....

The first annual Drewfest was held in September, 2023 and we raised $46,602.29 after expenses were paid!! We had an attendance of 135 supporters in 2023, and we were floored by the support we received from the Madison Community in such a short amount of time. It was a whirlwind for Justin and I (As you know), planning the event in just under 3 months...but SO worth it. Here is our news coverage on NBC15, as well.

We didn't waste any time on identifying projects to support...check it out:

1. Madison's very own Edgewood College has been fortunate enough to have the JED Campus program FULLY FUNDED, thanks to the $15,000 grant from Drewfest, and grants and scholarships from Charles E. Kubly Foundation/Beyond the Blues and The JED Foundation.

Check out the press release: https://www.edgewood.edu/.../new-partnership-with-the-jed/

Drewfest and JED align on raising awareness and understanding to reduce shame and secrecy around mental health.

2. Chandra's House Flooring Project: We are grateful for our special visit with Denny Hill and family in the summer of 2023. Denny tragically lost his daughter Chandra in 2011 to mental illness and addiction. He turned tragedy into HOPE, when he partnered with Madison's very own Tellurian, Inc. and developed Chandra's House. Not only are they making a huge impact on successful recoveries in the Madison area, but they have become our family friends. Drewfest was proud to donate $3,112.50 to Tellurian which replaced the flooring throughout Chandra's House. We are confident that this helped to allow these wonderful women to work through recovery with dignity, and in a comfortable, clean, safe space.

Chandra's House: https://www.tellurian.org/chandra/

Jeremy's Place: https://www.tellurian.org/jeremy/

3. Journey Mental Health Services: I was grateful to tour Journey Mental Health Services Crisis Center prior to Drewfest 2023, meet the 24/7 team, and learn more about the areas they need support. Drewfest donated $5,000 to Journey Mental Health Services the Spring (2023). Here's the breakdown: $4000 will support the Emergency Services staff to receive training on treatment modalities or populations that are of special interest to them, which will assist them in becoming our crisis team "expert” and train the rest of our staff on using what they learn in the training. Several staff members will be able to pursue their special passions and interests, which will help us retain talented team members, and they will be able to share their knowledge with the rest of the team, which will benefit many of the people we serve during their times of mental health crisis. $1000 will support the Survivors of Suicide group, specifically in promotional efforts and enhanced outreach to the Madison Community, increasing post-vention, saving lives of survivors of suicide.

This year, we will be coming together at Drewfest to raise ALL the awareness and continue to reduce the stigma around mental health. We have a goal to raise $100,000 in funds for mental health awareness, resources available in the community, suicide prevention training, and educational programs. Lucille's in downtown Madison graciously offered to dedicate ALL of their space (250 capacity) and will host Drewfest 2024! We will have our local news celebrity Leigh Mills partnering with Geoffrey Sandler as emcee and auctioneer. We are committed to erasing the stigma surrounding mental illness and its causes, and encouraging those who are suffering from mental illness to feel comfortable making that first call for help.

I’m contacting you to graciously invite you to join us at Drewfest on September 29th, where proceeds will fund mental health and suicide prevention projects and education with the The Charles E. Kubly Foundation (CEKF) acting as our fiscal agent. The CEKF is a public charity (501c3) that was started after the unexpected death by suicide of Charlie Kubly in 2003. The CEKF brings 20 years of experience in fundraising highlighted at their annual Beyond the Blues Event in Milwaukee. The Kubly Foundation has funded more than 15 organizations in the Madison area, and now 3 more through their partnership with Drewfest. These programs are greatly needed and valued by those suffering from mental illness. Drewfest and the Randall Family will help determine how and where the money raised at this event, and how it will be allocated, locally.

Our family is grateful our journey has led us here. After many conversations in the community, it is no secret that mental illness has impacted all of us in some way. We feel our calling! Please join us in saving lives, and helping people walk out of the darkness that is mental illness.

Please check out our Drewfest Facebook Page, in case you haven't followed it yet.

Please join us to view the Packers vs. Vikings game starting at 12pm! The Drewfest event will be from 2-5pm, and will start with food, drinks, and viewing of the second half of the Packer Game. We will have a program directly following the game, and then move into the live auction.

We also believe that having people like you involved with Drewfest will help launch Drewfest to the highest level, and help us to bring more focus to supporting organizations that are working every day to help people in our community, our friends, or even our family. THANK YOU!

PLEASE JOIN US!

Drewfest 2024!!