Sunshine From Darkness Raises Funds for Mental Health

January 26, 2024 – Sarasota

 In mid-January, Sunshine From Darkness – a nonprofit organization dedicated to the funding of local mental health services and programs and mental health research – held its 2024 Inspiring Hope Dinner. The organization’s annual fundraising event was held at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, with nearly 370 in attendance. 

This year’s keynote speaker was American comedian, actor, writer and producer Tom Arnold, who spoke about his journey with anxiety and longtime battles with addiction. Arnold has been sober for over five years but he’s faced addiction, sobriety, and relapse at different points in his Hollywood career as well as significant health challenges. Arnold shared heartbreaking stories about childhood trauma and his decades-long battles with addiction and anxiety, noting that his most important job now is to be in a good mood for his young children, to whom he is a single father.

The evening featured “Faces Behind the Stories,” shining a spotlight on the personal, sometimes difficult journeys of four members of our community: Roger Capote, a diverse professional with many years of nonprofit leadership; Kelvin Foster, chaplain, North River Fire District and American Red Cross Disaster spiritual care regional advisor for Central and SW Florida; Sydney Koffman, chemical engineer; and Linda Larsen, motivational speaker.

“I became involved with Sunshine from Darkness because I am a mental health advocate. Like Sunshine from Darkness, I believe in erasing the stigma that surrounds mental health issues. Unfortunately, too many people suffer in silence,” said event co-chair Amie Austin, PhD. “There is so much hope once we step out of the shadows of fear and secrets.”

The event also featured the bestowing of the 2024 Lee and Bob Peterson Legacy Award to Bunny Skirboll, founder of Compeer, Inc.; a lively paddle raise – which raised $165,000 – emceed by CK Swett; live music with Quintessence – featuring special guest vocalists, including Chris Eisenberg, who performed selections from his Frank Sinatra tribute show, “Frank & Me,” and Raleigh Mosely II – and dancing. 

Co-chairs were Amie Austin, Ph.D., Sarah Karp Renkliyuz and Taylor Karp Teymuri. Exclusive Dinner Sponsor was Elisabeth Waters; Luminary Sponsors were David Peterson and Jeffrey Peterson; and Benefactor Sponsor was Arthur Karp Family Foundation.

The proceeds are designated for Sunshine From Darkness’s “blue door services,” which will focus on emotional literacy for youth, and youth mental health research.

“We are committed to collaborating and providing valuable aid for the families of our community, to encourage continued positive change for the future,” added Sunshine From Darkness executive director Marlene Hauck. “Together, we can build the right supports to save, care for, and help our children.”

Founded as a subsidiary of the Lee and Bob Peterson Foundation, Sunshine From Darkness hosts events throughout the year that bring mental health and addiction awareness and education to the forefront of the community, providing professionals and philanthropists with the opportunity to engage with the broader mental health community. Its mission is to enhance and promote mental health wellness in our community.

For more about Sunshine From Darkness, visit sunshinefromdarkness.org.