Philanthropy, fun, and fellowship to celebrate life.
A Celebration of Life is a movement focused on inspiring hope and at the same time remembering lives that have been lost to suicide. The evening creates special moments and appreciation for life while raising funds to support Minding Your Mind’s mental health education and suicide prevention training programs. By attending this event, you will make an immediate impact in the lives of students and communities throughout New Jersey.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a 21+ event and ID will be required at the door. The Spring Lake Bath & Tennis Club has a strict “no denim” policy, please plan accordingly.
Become a Sponsor
Youth mental health has been named “the defining public health crisis of our time.” A sponsor of this hallmark event will make an immediate impact in the lives of students and communities in New Jersey.
Your organization will be introduced to hundreds of local professionals at the event and thousands of Minding Your Mind followers via social media, our website, and regional press.
Our presence is local and our reach is national, allowing for sponsors to receive recognition for supporting efforts to address an issue that is impacting the lives of millions of families across the country.
Sponsor packages are available that include:
- tickets to the event
- sponsor signage at the event
- promotional materials distributed to all attendees
- link to company website on Minding Your Mind website
- recognition in electronic program, promotional emails to Minding Your Mind’s 17K contacts, social media posts reaching 10K followers
Put your company or organization in front of hundreds of New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia young professionals and thousands of Minding Your Mind supporters by becoming a sponsor A Celebration of Life: New Jersey.
Make a Donation
Please write “A Celebration of Life: New Jersey” or “ACOLNJ” in the COMMENT box.
Champion of Hope Award
Join us in honoring runner, influencer, advocate Alex "Herm" Hermanson
Alex “Herm” Hermanson is a content creator who specializes in the running space where he aims to eliminate the stigma of running culture and create an environment for all.
As a runner that does not live in the stereotypical “runner’s body,” Alex understands the day-to-day struggles that we all fight with our mental health and comparison. After many years of fighting through these insecurities alone, Alex turned to the internet where he would take his shirt off and run to inspire others while bringing a community together.
Soon after he began his quest to change perceptions in the running community, Alex would be presented with the opportunity to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon for Team Minding Your Mind. Through this experience, he learned more about the importance of introducing mental health education at a young age. His mental health awareness advocacy continued well after his marathon experience, incorporating this knowledge into his content and the ongoing conversations he has with his audience.
For his advocacy about body image and mental health, for his work in introducing Minding Your Mind to his followers all over the world, and his contributions to raising funds from the running community, we will gratefully honor Alex at this year’s A Celebration of Life: New Jersey.
Follow Alex on Instagram and Threads at @herm.runs
The History of A Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life began in 2011 to honor the memory of Kyle Craig, a 21-year-old native of Spring Lake and a student at Vanderbilt University, who took his life in May of 2010. Kyle was a dynamic friend to many; a bright, handsome, and gifted individual across music and athletics, but whose strength of character enabled his growing struggles to be hidden.
When Kyle’s friends returned to Vanderbilt after his death, they felt his absence deeply and wanted to honor his memory. Kyle loved music and the comradery of friends, so his fraternity brothers pulled together a music festival with Kyle’s favorite band. At the festival, they wanted to talk about mental health and they invited a speaker from Minding Your Mind to address the crowd. That festival was named “A Celebration of Life.”
In the 13 years since it began in Nashville, this annual event has expanded to New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, engaging thousands of young professionals in the service of suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
