HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-01-31, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019.
The Tanner Steffler Foundation
has had a productive first year and,
as Bell Let’s Talk Day rolls around
once again, organizers are now
looking towards the future of the
foundation.
Foundation co-founder John
Steffler sat down with The Citizen,
just days ahead of the organization’s
Bell Let’s Talk Day event in
Goderich, to reflect on the past year
of activities and successes and
project the year ahead for the
foundation.
Steffler said the past year has been
a very active one for him and his
family, but that it’s been all about
pursuing a passion for them, so
they’re more than willing to put in
the time.
He says the foundation has been
fortunate to have captured the
attention of the community in very
creative ways. Not only have the
foundation’s events been well
attended, but dozens of community
members both young and old have
stepped up to help the foundation
achieve its goals.
Because of that support, Steffler
says that the foundation has been
able to inject $80,000 back into the
community in the form of funding
for school board positions and much
more.
John and Heather Steffler created
the foundation, which will focus on
the mental health and well-being of
Huron County youth, after their son
Tanner died in 2017 after a bout with
drug addiction.
The foundation officially received
its charitable status late last year and
has engaged the community with a
number of events that will be held
again this year.
The Six String Music Fest, which
was held in Seaforth last summer,
will again be held, this year on July
27. The foundation also held several
sold-out events with Michael
Landsberg and his #sicknotweak
campaign in Blyth and Exeter. The
foundation will be bringing
Landsberg to Mitchell again this
year, with an event scheduled for
April 11.
Now, the foundation hopes to look
towards the future and continue its
good work in the community, but
also launch its capital campaign later
this year and work towards the
construction of its support centre in
Seaforth.
The centre will be just another
step in the foundation’s journey,
Steffler said, towards aiding the
young people of the community and
their struggles with their mental
health, but all in one resource centre.
The foundation secured an office
with board room space at the Huron
community Family Health Team
building in Seaforth late last year,
but Steffler said that a permanent
location will help the foundation to
better support all of Huron County.
While the project is expected to
cost approximately $1 million,
Steffler said the support it will
provide will be a positive step for the
county.
The foundation is also currently
on the hunt for new board members
who might have an interest in
improving the mental health
landscape for the youth of Huron
County. Those interested can e-mail
admin@tannerstefflerfoundation
.com for more information.
Steffler Foundation looks ahead to capital campaign
Fun for the cause
The Tanner Steffler Foundation has amassed large supporter and volunteer bases in a very
short time. These supporters have enable the foundation to hold events like the Six String
Family Fest, above, and re-invest over $80,000 into the community to improve the mental
health landscape for youth in Huron County. The foundation’s next goal is its capital campaign
to build a resource centre in Seaforth. (File photo)
Crucial conversations
The Tanner Steffler Foundation was the driving force behind
three events last May that brought #sicknotweak advocate
Michael Landsberg to Exeter and Blyth to speak on mental
health. He is seen above addressing a full house at Blyth’s
Memorial Hall. (File photo)
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