The April T. Bocian Foundation understands this firsthand. Founded in Grove City, Pennsylvania, in memory of April Tayler Bocian, who died by suicide in 2015 at just 17 years old, the foundation turns personal grief into public action. This article covers the types of events driving change, how to find one near you, what the foundation has planned, and how you can get involved beyond just showing up.
Key Takeaways
- Charity events combine fundraising, education, and community connection to fight mental health stigma
- Golf outings, walks, and retreats directly fund suicide prevention resources and support programs
- The April T. Bocian Foundation hosts an annual Golf Outing and partners with EmpowHer Retreat
- Get involved by attending, volunteering, donating, or sharing awareness online
- National partners like AFSP expand local efforts into broader suicide prevention reach
Why Charity Events Matter for Mental Health Awareness
Talking about suicide and depression still feels taboo in many social circles. Charity events change that dynamic by putting mental health conversations into public, celebratory spaces where stigma has less room to hide.
The numbers make the urgency clear:
- Suicide caused 49,316 deaths in 2023, with an age-adjusted rate of 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people, according to CDC data
- In 2024, an estimated 14.3 million U.S. adults seriously considered suicide, and 2.2 million attempted it, per AFSP's suicide statistics page
Funds raised at these events support real infrastructure: crisis lines like 988, prevention programs, and educational campaigns. AFSP's community programs focus on reducing stigma and opening honest conversations about mental health.
Statistics alone miss the emotional pull of a personal story. Foundations built in memory of a real person, such as the April T. Bocian Foundation, create authentic connection. Donors give to honor someone's life, not an abstract cause.
That authenticity creates a ripple effect. A first-time golf outing sponsor often comes back the next year. Walk participants step into volunteer roles. And sometimes a single post about a lost loved one reaches someone in crisis at exactly the right moment.
Types of Upcoming Charity Events for Mental Health Awareness
Mental health fundraisers come in several formats, each serving a different audience and purpose.
Golf Outings and Tournaments
Golf remains one of the most effective charity fundraising formats in the country. According to the National Golf Foundation, golf generated almost $4.6 billion for charitable causes in a recent year, with over 90% of that giving coming from local-course events.
The April T. Bocian Foundation's annual Golf Outing follows this model closely. It's structured around:
- Team registration through a dedicated Player Registration form
- Sponsorship opportunities for local businesses
- Open registration that invites the wider community to support the foundation's mental health mission
Awareness Walks and Runs
AFSP's Out of the Darkness Walks are among the most widely recognized events of this kind, taking place in more than 400 communities nationwide. Formats include Community Walks, Campus Walks (aimed at students), and the endurance-style Overnight Walk. These events build community while normalizing conversations about suicide loss.
Wellness Retreats
Retreats like EmpowHer Retreat, which the foundation supports, combine mental health resources with community bonding, specifically for women navigating stress, grief, or mental illness.
Smaller Community Fundraisers
Local groups also raise funds through smaller, easier-to-host gatherings:
- Benefit dinners and silent auctions
- Concerts and live music events
- School and youth-focused fundraisers
Virtual and Hybrid Options
Online options let people give without attending in person. Nonprofit online revenue rose 15% in 2025, per M+R Benchmarks, through crowdfunding pages and social campaigns that reach donors anywhere in the country.
How to Find Upcoming Mental Health Charity Events Near You
Finding an event doesn't have to be complicated. Try these channels:
- Check foundation websites and social pages. The April T. Bocian Foundation posts updates on Facebook and its own site, including golf outing registration and sponsorship materials.
- Follow AFSP for regional listings. Their event calendar lets you filter by program, and their chapter finder covers all 50 states.
- Search local platforms. Community bulletin boards, local news, and Eventbrite-style sites often list smaller fundraisers that national databases miss.
Spotlight: April T. Bocian Foundation's Upcoming Events
April Tayler Bocian was born on April 28, 1998, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was known for her red hair, warm smile, and deep empathy for the people around her. She loved basketball, her family, and the beach.
Behind that brightness, she struggled privately with depression. She died by suicide on May 5, 2015, one week after her 17th birthday. Her family built the foundation so her story could help others.
The foundation carries that mission through community fundraising and wellness programs.
The Annual Golf Outing is the foundation's flagship fundraiser. It offers team registration and sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, with proceeds supporting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
EmpowHer Retreat is a wellness program linked to and supported by the foundation, focused on women's mental health and empowerment.
The AFSP partnership connects the foundation's local work to national suicide prevention resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. SAMHSA confirms the lifeline operates 24/7 through more than 200 local and state crisis centers.
If you're in Grove City, Pittsburgh, or the wider Pennsylvania/tri-state region, there are several ways to take part:
- Register a team for the Golf Outing
- Sponsor the event as a local business
- Call 724-355-1909 for current volunteer or sponsorship details
Ways to Get Involved Beyond Attending an Event
You don’t have to be on-site to make a difference. Here’s how else you can help:
- Volunteer. The April T. Bocian Foundation relies on community members for event support, outreach, and spreading the message. Contact us to ask about current openings.
- Donate or sponsor. Give directly, or have your business sponsor a golf outing team or hole—visibility for you, funding for the cause.
- Share your story. Advocacy doesn’t stop when an event ends. Posting your experience, or sharing the foundation’s message, carries the work past the course or retreat.
Each path points to the same outcome: no one facing depression or suicidal thoughts should feel alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good charity events?
Strong mental health charity events pair the format with the goal: awareness walks, memorial fundraisers, wellness retreats, or golf outings. The best ones are easy to join, open to the community, and send proceeds to prevention education, support programs, or crisis resources.
What are some upcoming charity events in Chicago?
The April T. Bocian Foundation's events are centered in Grove City and Pittsburgh, PA. Chicago-area readers can check AFSP's Out of the Darkness Walk schedule, including the Chicagoland Walk, for local dates.
How can I find local mental health charity events near me?
Use AFSP’s event locator and chapter finder, follow nonprofit pages (including the April T. Bocian Foundation on Facebook), and scan local community calendars. In Pennsylvania and the tri-state area, also watch for the foundation’s annual golf outing and partner programs.
Do I need to pay to attend a charity fundraiser?
Many fundraisers, such as golf outings, require a registration fee or sponsorship. AFSP awareness walks are typically free to join, with fundraising encouraged but not required.
How does the money raised at these events get used?
Raised funds usually support suicide-prevention education, community awareness, wellness programs such as partner retreats, and referrals to crisis resources like the 988 Lifeline. Exact use depends on the host organization.
Can businesses sponsor a mental health charity event?
Yes. Local businesses can sponsor events such as golf outings through tiered packages, which fund mental health programs and put the business in front of community supporters.
