Members of the Omaha community recently gathered together to attend the 9th Annual Fine Wine and Hors D’ oeuvres Fundraiser, put on by the Southwest Omaha Rotary Club. The event, which was held on October 12, 2017, helped benefit the Boys Town National Hotline^® by not only raising money for the program, but also spreading awareness about how the hotline can help save lives.

 

During past events, speakers would share their stories and the positive outcome that came from reaching out to the hotline. However, this year Mark Adler, Superintendent at Ralston Public schools, and his wife Joni shared how their world shattered after they lost their teen son Reid, to suicide. The couple spoke of their heart-breaking experience in hopes to show the audience how crucial sources, like the Hotline, are to teens. “I think our focus this year was much more about how the Hotline works in the community with suicide prevention,” said Ginny Gohr, Director, Boys Town National Hotline.

 

The Boys Town National Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with approximately 70 crisis counselors helping those who reach out to them. “In 2016, we answered over 144,000 calls and almost 35,000 emails, chats and texts,” said Ginny.  All 525 who were in attendance at the event and sponsors, played a crucial role in helping the National Hotline continue to make an impact throughout the community.

 

Guests had the opportunity to participate in several activities that ranged from wine tastings, to bidding on items in a silent or live auction such as: an Omaha restaurant tour, tickets to Katy Perry, and two tickets behind home plate to all of the College World Series 2018 sessions. Through these fun-filled activities and evening, Boys Town was able to raise $50,000 with everyone’s generous contributions.

 

The money that was raised at the event will help the Boys Town National Hotline reach across a wider audience to offer their services. “[The money will] help us promote our text service on social media and help us go out to schools in our community and present about suicide prevention,” Ginny said.

 

Thank you to all the kind-hearted people who have helped the Boys Town National Hotline continue to save lives and spread suicide awareness, every action matters.