It has been a mere six months since we launched Meg’s Legacy of Hope, and your initial enthusiasm and passion for this mission surpassed expectations. With everyone’s generous support, we have accomplished a strong start for the organization in this short time. You can look forward to seeing our newsletter soon, but in the meantime here’s a brief recap.
June 2023 marked the introduction of our 501(c)(3) organization, founded by our family and Board of Directors, and run by volunteers. The Megan Butz Legacy of Hope is in honor of the life and spirit of Megan, who was 26 years old when she suddenly died in January 2020.
Our team’s mission is to strengthen the lives of at-risk youth, teens, and young adults so they may navigate life via needed mental health programming and support. We provide funding for community-based programs that prioritize building self-esteem, developing resilience and life skills, strengthening mental health, and expanding suicide awareness.
To officially kick off Meg’s Legacy of Hope, our Inaugural Golf Outing and Dinner was held Monday, September 11th. The event was a sell-out within 5 days of announcement, and despite the cold and rainy conditions, the golfers’ enthusiasm that day was palpable! From our early morning bagpiper, exciting on-course games, raffles, and a sold-out dinner and presentation, everyone’s camaraderie and passion were overwhelming. With the generous support of our valued sponsors, we raised $217,000, for which we are so grateful!
Most importantly, we awarded our first $25,000 grant that night to Partners for Our Communities’ “Skyward Bound Program”, providing 250 hours of clinical therapy for students aged 18-22 at high risk for suicide, plus education for their parents.
We also announced our first grant cycle with the goal of awarding $100,000 in Q1 2024. This $100,000 funds local not-for-profits providing mental health resources to youth, and our Grant Committee is currently busy evaluating our first inquiries and applications.
During the 2023 holiday season, we initiated our first toy drive called “Meg’s Gifts of Love” to mirror Megan’s personal efforts to collect gifts and toys for the needy in her work communities. This was a great success, thanks to so many of you! A special shout-out to all who donated gifts and cards, to Hawthorn Woods Country Club for collecting drop-offs and the Ayvazian family who collected gifts.
We gathered, wrapped, and delivered 419 gifts to youth aged 6-22 in our community. “Meg’s Gifts of Love” also provided $2,000 to Our Lady of Tepeyac girls high school, a sharing parish to St. Francis de Sales, for gift cards to 150 under-resourced students. We gifted an additional $4,500 to nine families with children recently suffering from suicides, and part of LOSS (Loving Outreach to Suicide Survivors), a support program run by Chicago Catholic Charities.
Our hearts are full with the initial success of Meg’s Legacy of Hope. As we engage in discussions of mental health and suicide awareness, we realize that these topics silently and privately affect so many in our families and communities. Our goal is to channel the collective energy of our dedicated Board of Directors, ambassadors and volunteers, and generosity of our donors to make mental health services more accessible.
You will hear more details soon on the important work of all our committees as we move into 2024. Please reach out if you are interested in volunteering your skills and expertise.
Our family is sincerely grateful for the support of so many generous people committed to impacting the lives and mental health of our younger generation. Together we can make a difference.
With true appreciation,
Larry and Mary Jo Butz
