Lines for Life’s Gala Raises Funds to Prevent Substance Abuse and Suicide

Lines for Life’s Gala Raises Funds to Prevent Substance Abuse and Suicide

by | Mar 4, 2017 | Features, News

Portland, OR. Lines for Life‘s annual gala drew a crowd of 500 guests and raised more than $390,000 to support the organization’s mission of preventing substance abuse and suicide. Highlights of the February 24th gala at the Sentinel included honoring several people who have propelled Lines for Life forward by giving a voice to the issues of substance abuse, suicide, and mental health. Former Lines for Life CEO Judy Cushing presented KINK radio’s Sheila Hamilton with the Celebrating Life Award for raising awareness about suicide and promoting mental health. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Standard Insurance Company’s Vice President of Employee Benefits Dan McMillan accepted the Champion of Hope Award for outstanding leadership and philanthropic support. Multnomah County Circuit Court’s Presiding Judge, the Honorable Nan Waller, presented the award.

Lines for Life CEO Dwight Holton awarded Corinne Boyer of the Eugene Weekly with the Tom Parker Award for Media Excellence.

Master of Ceremonies Pete Ferryman of FOX12 with Lines for Life’s Development Director Fiona Milligan.

“The issues that define our mission touch everyone. We were thrilled to have so many enthusiastic supporters gathered together last Friday to celebrate the difference we can make together,” says Lines for Life’s Development Director Fiona Milligan.

Lines for Life supporters Cameron Altree and Shari Altree with Senator Ron Wyden and the recipient of our Tom Parker Award for Media Excellence, Corinne Boyer

Lines for Life supporters Greg and Terry Ness

Supporters Dave and Barbara Underriner with Lines for Life CEO, Dwight Holton.

In 2016, Lines for Life Crisis Lines answered over 78,000 calls, texts, chats, and emails from individuals and their friends or family who struggled with issues related to mental health, substance abuse, and suicide. We de-escalated approximately 95 percent of the suicide-related calls we received, helping the vast majority of callers find a way forward without the intervention of emergency services.  

About Lines for Life:

Lines for life is a regional nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide. We believe that every person deserves to be healthy and happy; but we know that many people are in crisis and many communities are struggling. No one should struggle alone. We offer help and hope by building relationships with individuals and communities, and by promoting mental health for all.

Our work addresses a spectrum of needs that include intervention, prevention, and advocacy. We educate, train, and advocate to prevent issues of substance abuse, mental illness, and thoughts of suicide from reaching crisis levels. But when a crisis arises or support is needed, we’re available 24/7/365 to intervene with personalized help.

Crisis Intervention Services
Our 24-hour crisis lines offer help and hope to individuals and their loved ones when in crisis or when needing confidential help for drug addiction, alcohol abuse, thoughts of suicide, and other mental health issues. Our staff and volunteer crisis intervention specialists are highly-trained and help thousands of individuals each year. While available to anyone in need, our services include targeted support for those struggling with addiction and recovery, military service members, veterans, youth, and their families.

All of our crisis lines are free, confidential, and available 24/7/365 to those in crisis or their concerned friends and family.

Suicide LifeLine                                    800-273-TALK (8255)
Military Helpline               888-457-4838 or text MIL1 to 839863
YouthLine                               877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863
Alcohol & Drug Helpline 800-923-HELP (4357)

Prevention Services
Our education and training programs promote mental health and wellness in communities throughout Oregon. Our hallmark trainings are taught by certified professionals and equip schools and communities to identify and assist people at risk of suicide and to respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse. We work to destigmatize mental health issues, increase awareness for mental wellness, and encourage reaching out for help.

Public Policy & Advocacy
We work locally and nationally to shape the policies that impact our mission. We work with legislators and community partners to create sustainable, positive changes in the way organizations and communities respond to substance abuse, suicide, mental wellness, and crisis. Today, we are taking the lead on preventing prescription drug abuse; historically, we’ve worked to limit teen exposure to drugs and alcohol, minimize access to the chemicals used to manufacture illegal drugs, and more.

 

Lines for Life’s Gala Raises Funds to Prevent Substance Abuse and Suicide

Lines for Life’s Gala Raises Funds to Prevent Substance Abuse and Suicide

by | Feb 24, 2016 | Events, Features, Uncategorized

Portland, February 19th, 2016. Lines for Life‘s annual gala, held at Sentinel, drew a crowd of 500 people and raised more than $425,000 to support the organization’s mission of preventing substance abuse and suicide. Johnna Wells from Benefit Auctions 360 posed with keynote speaker, Sheila Hamilton. The local radio host is the author of All the Things We Never Knew a book about loving and losing someone with mental illness. 2015 was a record year for the Lines for Life crisis call center which received over 50,000 calls, (17,000 more than the prior year), from callers struggling with issues related to mental health, substance abuse and suicide. Many were helped to find a way forward, and where appropriate connected with referrals and resources. The dedicated military lines received over 25,000 calls and the YouthLine call and text volume doubled. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Greg and Terry Ness, Honorary Co-Chairs for the Event shared a powerful personal story.

Greg and Terry Ness, Honorary Co-Chairs for the Event shared a powerful personal story.

Lines for Life's CEO, Dwight Holton and Senator Ron Wyden

Lines for Life’s CEO, Dwight Holton and Senator Ron Wyden

Rick and Erika Miller, 2016 'Champion of Hope' award recipients. The award was presented in recognition of their tremendous philanthropic support.

Rick and Erika Miller, 2016 ‘Champion of Hope’ award recipients. The award was presented in recognition of their tremendous philanthropic support.

Dr. Claudia Taylor and her husband Clark Taylor.

Dr. Claudia Taylor and her husband Clark Taylor.

Lines for Life also continued prevention work in schools and with community organizations, convened regional summits with influential stake holders on addressing prescription drug abuse and helped formulate policy, locally and nationally regarding the issues that define its mission. The event was a celebration of successes over the past year, and also an opportunity to recognize the challenge that the organization faces due to the ever-growing need for its services.

From Lines for Life:

We believe that ultimately the issues that define our mission touch everyone and were thrilled to have so many enthusiastic supporters join us last Friday because together, we can make a difference.

Lines for Life is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide because they touch so many families in our society. We have served thousands of people with addiction, mental health and suicide intervention services, treatment referral and drug prevention education.

Lines for Life Crisis Lines answered 54,127 calls in 2015. We are able to de-escalate 95 percent of the over 14,000 suicide line calls we receive. Our suicide LifeLine is available free not only to those in crisis, but to concerned friends & family members who sense something seriously amiss and need information on what actions they should take. (800) 273-TALK.

The Military Helpline offers free, anonymous assistance 24/7/365 to active duty service members, veterans and their families through telephone and text support. The texting service for the Military Helpline operates from 0900 to 1500 PST and can be reached by texting MIL1 to 839863 between 0900 and 1500 Pacific Time.

Our YouthLine offers a confidential teen-to-teen phone line and texting to help youth deal with bullying, depression, substance abuse or other issues that can make those years especially painful.

The Alcohol & Drug Helpline offers crisis counseling and referrals to appropriate treatment options.

The Lines for Life staff works closely with schools, parents, treatment professionals, law enforcement and the military. We train and support community anti-drug coalitions. We lead public awareness campaigns on underage drinking, youth access to alcohol and reducing illegal drug use.