Project Overview
Recovering from the Pandemic.
Since March 2020, our lives halted to a near standstill. COVID-19 has upended our way of life, and students feel it just as much as the parents stuck at home.
We know parents have become teachers and transitioned to home offices – if they are lucky enough to have a job. However, students are suffering — and some are suffering in silence. Many students lost the end of their school year, and some still haven't returned to in-seat classes. Students lost the normalcy of their routine, their community and, for some, their sense of belonging.
For the past 15 years, Safe and Sober has focused on the dangers teens face when they experiment with drugs and alcohol as a result of peer pressure. Now, they are turning to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with the stress and silence of the pandemic.
While it's still important for us to produce content related to drinking and driving, underage drinking and substance abuse, we've also identified an even greater need for our youth -- healthy ways for coping with mental health.
As a nonprofit organization, last year wasn't all bad for us, but we're still recovering from the obstacles the pandemic put in our way. COVID forced us to cancel our in-person fundraising events which resulted in a significant decrease in corporate sponsorships and personal donations. We appreciate you considering a donation to Safe and Sober. If you're unable to donate money at this time, please share this event on your social media pages. We appreciate any and all support you can give us. They are worth it!
For more information about Safe and Sober, please visit our website to view real stories about the powerful content we offer.
Updates
THANK YOU!
Good evening Safe and Sober friends!
It's been a wonderful Give Ozarks Day! On behalf of the Safe and Sober team and Board of Directors, THANK YOU! Thank you for donating, sharing our posts, and introducing someone new to our impactful organization. We also want to thank the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Bass Pro Shops for putting this event together today.
The final total for Safe and Sober today was $7,311!! With the money raised today, we plan to make new video content and curriculum to help youth find healthier ways to cope with the stress, fear, and anxiety the pandemic created for them, instead of turning to drugs and alcohol.
Today, 150 different charitable organizations participated in Give Ozarks Day, and a record was set for the Community Foundation of the Ozarks with the amount of online donations made. More than 9,000 donations were made between the 150 nonprofits by people in the Ozarks and surrounding communities. The grand total raised for all participating organizations was $710,245! You made that possible!
Thank you again for a successful event! I'll be in touch with you soon!
Beth (Cowgill) Kaiser
Director of Partnerships & Development
Safe and Sober