2015 Philadelphia AFSP Gala Honoring HughE Dillon – All My Best Friends In One Room

Philadelphia AFSP Gala Honoring HughE Dillon – Suicide Prevention Gala

Oh talk about time getting away from me, always during this period, the height of Philly Social Season, I get behind. Some events I put on the back burner promising to publish as soon as I have a moment. This was one of them. The photos ran in Philly Style Mag and Philly Mag, but I always wanted a minute to run more. To thank my friends for coming out and supporting me as I was honored by the The Philadelphia Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention last November 14. (This year’s gala is 1/7/17 TICKETS/INFO Here)

The Philadelphia Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is proud to honor global speaker and mental health advocate Kevin Hines with its 2017 Lifesaver of the Year Award.  Hines has canvassed the state of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Region spreading the message of hope and sharing his arr of living mentally well.  He is one of the most respected and admired voices of lived experience.  In the summer of 2013, Kevin released his bestselling memoir titled Cracked Not Broken, Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt.  His story is a remarkable testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder for us to the love the life we have.

Over 350 people came out to support the gala

My Family: Mike, Crista Bateman, Margaret Goleash and bro in law Frank

Me and the gals: Kristin Detterline, Marisa Magnatta, Rosemary Connors, Vasiliki Tsiouris, Erin Como, Justin Pizzi, Alyssa Frick and Christie Mandia

Garden Logan, Noel Zayas and Megan Smith

Caryn Hersch and Vickie Nomiddle

Danielle Hankin, Regina Tuchinsky , Alexander Hankin, Katie Griffin, Katie Griffin Casting & Production (Thank you Katie for producing the film about my story, how you got those photos of me with a perm is a mystery.) and TJ Tarrant

Thanks to Katie Griffin on this video. It played at the event, but I never made it public because it’s painful to watch. Plus OMG that chin I have. Anyway, the takeaway is
we all matter. Love yourself and make a difference. How do you do that, know you matter, even if you’re in emotional pain. Get help, reach out and volunteer. What I didn’t mention in the video is after I got sober (loving myself), I volunteered for many different organizations. It’s great to have a purpose, and to make a difference. Get Out of the House, and you’ll get out of your mind. (Stinking thinking we do alone can kill us.) http://katiegriffincasting.com/

Marilyn Russell, Jaimi Blackburn, Ron Blackburn and Eric Sales.

Denise Fike does Illustrations

Garden Logan, PR of AFSP and Shelly Leaphart-Williams, Board Members of AFSP Philly

Eric Allen Smith III and Allen T

Megan Heaton

Dennis and Sue Schaeffer (Sue and I met in Spanish Class in College in 1996)

Joan Rivera, Laura Burkhardt, Matt Clifford and Carrie Minelli

Jill Rizen and Kory Aversa

Briana Louise Sposato – Thank you for the incredible photos you took of moi and for my new re-vamp of PCC launch.

Jimmy Kazanjian and Lisa Gaudio with friends

Keith Leaphart, Replica Creative, Stacey Kracher, Brandon Morrison and Tung To, ToBox Shoes

Currently located on 19th Street, Center City shoe store and accessories, ToBox is moving to 1822 Chestnut Street in December.

Thank you AFSP, and all my friends for making this event a huge success. Hope to see you on January 7, 2017

Thanks to Mole Street Productions, who did an amazing job with the production of the event from video, to audio to lighting
The Loews Hotel

To all those who donated items for the silent auction.

Plus check out more pixs from last year on Philly Mag.