SOMETHING EVENT ORGANIZERS TELL ME IS VERY PERSONAL TO THEM. IT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM BEING ALIVE AND THEM DYING. KATE COOPER KNOWS THE STRAIN THAT VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE ON THEIR MENTAL HEALTH. MY HUSBAND WAS A COP. HE WAS IN THE ARMY. AND WHEN HE BEGAN EXPERIENCING STRUGGLES, THEY LEARNED A HARD TRUTH. THERE WAS JUST NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS. KATE, A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED IS THE MAJOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR THE INNER CIRCLE FOUNDATION. IT’S A REALLY AWESOME, FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT. THIS IS ITS SECOND YEAR. COOPER TOLD ME THAT EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP IS HELPING TO FIGHT THIS ISSUE. I WOULD SAY EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT IS HERE TONIGHT OR THAT DONATES OR THAT WORKS THEIR LIFE IN THIS JOB, LIKE THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING AND THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY SAVING SOMEONE’S LIFE RIGHT NOW. AND WITH MORE THAN $30,000 RAISED IN YEAR ONE AND EVEN MORE IN YEAR TWO, COOPER SAYS SHE HAS NO PLANS TO STOP. I ALREADY HAVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, LIKE, WE’RE GOING TO MOVE A COUPL
Norman festival supports mental health care for first responders and veterans
A Norman event featuring a drone show, concert, and helicopter rides is raising funds and awareness for mental health care for first responders and veterans.
A Norman festival is using entertainment to raise money and awareness for mental health care options for first responders and veterans, with activities including a drone show, concert, and helicopter rides. Kate Cooper, an event organizer and mental health professional, said the issue is personal for her. “I love that they’re here breaking the stigma,” Cooper said. Cooper shared that her husband, a former police officer and Army veteran, experienced mental health struggles, which highlighted a lack of resources for veterans. “We noticed that there was not enough resources for mental health care for veterans,” Cooper said. Determined to address the issue, Cooper helped organize Challenge Accepted, the Inner Circle Foundation’s major annual fundraiser. “Challenge Accepted is the major annual fundraiser for the Inner Circle Foundation. It’s a really awesome, family-friendly event. This is the second year,” Cooper said. Cooper emphasized the importance of community involvement in tackling the issue. “I would say every single person that is here tonight, or that donates or that works there, like it’s not like they want to be a part of something and they are absolutely saying, like, right now,” Cooper said. The event raised more than $30,000 in its first year, and Cooper said even more has been raised in its second year. She is already planning for future growth. “I already have some recommendations. Like, we’re gonna move a couple things around. It’s going to get bigger. So I just hope more people come out,” Cooper said.
A Norman festival is using entertainment to raise money and awareness for mental health care options for first responders and veterans, with activities including a drone show, concert, and helicopter rides.
Kate Cooper, an event organizer and mental health professional, said the issue is personal for her.
“I love that they’re here breaking the stigma,” Cooper said.
Cooper shared that her husband, a former police officer and Army veteran, experienced mental health struggles, which highlighted a lack of resources for veterans.
“We noticed that there was not enough resources for mental health care for veterans,” Cooper said.
Determined to address the issue, Cooper helped organize Challenge Accepted, the Inner Circle Foundation’s major annual fundraiser.
“Challenge Accepted is the major annual fundraiser for the Inner Circle Foundation. It’s a really awesome, family-friendly event. This is the second year,” Cooper said.
Cooper emphasized the importance of community involvement in tackling the issue.
“I would say every single person that is here tonight, or that donates or that works there, like it’s not like they want to be a part of something and they are absolutely saying, like, right now,” Cooper said.
The event raised more than $30,000 in its first year, and Cooper said even more has been raised in its second year. She is already planning for future growth.
“I already have some recommendations. Like, we’re gonna move a couple things around. It’s going to get bigger. So I just hope more people come out,” Cooper said.
