The Red Door Campaign Generates Mental Health Awareness, Support

The Red Door Fund of the Fayette Community Foundation wants to express their genuine gratitude to the community for participating in our first annual, Red Door Campaign intended to generate awareness and show support for those struggling with mental health.

The sheer number of red doors (nearly 300) seen around the region as well as the creativity and sincerity involved was humbling. Homes, businesses, restaurants, banks, schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and clinics all across this region from Eagle Lake, Columbus, Weimar, Schulenburg, Flatonia, La Grange, Fayetteville, Round Top, and even Wharton and Bastrop were intentionally decorated to show support.

One thing that was discovered was that the ones creating the doors, were often those who struggle with mental health or who know someone who struggles. It was almost a healing process for them to be able to express their pain and understanding, while not having to really say anything at all.

Not only did individuals all over the region overwhelmingly generate awareness for mental health, they took it one step further and supported local organizations. Two businesses and one local non-profit chose to partner with The Red Door in various ways.

Heartbrand Beef in Flatonia ran a promotion leading up to Feb. 12, donating a portion of their sales to The Red Door Fund. “Heartbrand is very happy to be partnering with The Red Door Fund to help raise awareness for mental health in our community. The promotion was good for both the local community and our business. This partnership with the Red Door Fund led to the largest shipping week of the year!” said Jordan Beeman, owner.

Celebrations! by Bistro 108 in La Grange partnered with The Red Door Fund to sell a Red Door Dinner for Two on Saturday, Feb. 12. Again, the community overwhelmingly responded to support both the cause as well as the local familyowned business. Susan Kuehler, owner of Celebrations stated: “If we can be just a little bit of help to someone else, that means the world to us.”

Finally, And Then a New Day in Schulenburg offered to create and sell decorative Red Door signs for the public. Through the community’s support, the signs were sold out in a matter of days. The community was responsible for raising over $1,000 for And Then’s adult day program and contributed to a meaningful activity for those participating adults involved in the process of sign making as they were required to use their fine motor skills, problem-solving, and work through a step by step process. Erin Wotipka, founder of And Then shared: “One unique thing about And Then is that we take the time to find what everyone is good at! All of our young adults have different skills and interests, and we focus on highlighting what each of them can do well! So, with our wreaths, some helped with streamers, others with zip ties, and some helped hand them out to our customers! We believe in “I Can” and choose to put our focus on celebrating what we can do rather than what we can’t. Our community coming together to support the Red Door Campaign and And Then continues to show that we all have a purpose and a special place in our world!”

“I’ve never seen communities embrace mental health like these have, and for that we thank you. More importantly, those who struggle and their families thank you deeply. The number of messages and calls we received to express appreciation was astounding. The number of lives you touched, we will never be able to count.” said Susannah Mikulin, Executive Director of the Fayette Community Foundation.

The philanthropic spirit of this region is astounding. The community’s willingness to support not only charity but also local businesses has been incredible to witness. Their efforts have helped contribute significantly to achieving the vision of the Red Door Fund for Mental Health which is for those struggling with mental illness and their loved ones in this rural region to not only have access to the resources they need and be able to navigate those resources, but also be able to turn to those resources or any person for support and feel accepted, understood, and unashamed.