Karla Smith Foundation MASKerade

 

 

This past Saturday, September 28, 2013, Beth, Mary Jo and I were privileged to attend the Karla Smith Foundation's MASKerade Dinner Auction in Fairview Heights, Illinois.  This was the second time we have enjoyed such a wonderful evening that was to benefit the foundation. This year had a "Mask" theme to "unmask the stigma of mental illness".

 

Let me give a little background of the Karla Smith Foundation by starting with Karla's story.

 

 Born August 7, 1976 in Ottumwa, IA, Karla was 10 minutes younger than her twin brother Kevin.  They were the only children of Tom and Fran Smith.  At age 2, the Smith family moved to the Tulsa, Oklahoma area where they lived for the next 22 years as a typical middle class, close-knit family.

Karla was never the quiet type as a child.  She had a zest for life which was apparent through many activities, debates, creations, and friendships.  She graduated high school in 1994 as an honor student who had been the lead in the school play as well as an elected student council officer.  Her future was bright, promising, and exciting.

But then, at age 19, in the second semester of her sophomore year in college, Karla fell into her first major depression.  Two years later, she was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the whole family struggled to learn about the illness and cope with it.  After seven years of up and down emotions, periods of stability, and periods of instability, Karla ended her physical life on earth when she took her life on January 13, 2003 at the age of 26.

One of Karla's main passions in life was writing.  At the time of her suicide, she was nearly complete with her memoir, which she titled Glue.  The glue was a reference to the bipolar medication which held her together during periods of mania and depression.  Her mission through her memoir was to educate others about what it felt like to live with a mental illness.

It is a result of Karla's mission and in her memory that Tom, Fran, and Kevin created the Karla Smith Foundation two years after her death in 2005 to help other people who share similar experiences.  It is through her openness about her mental illness and the Smith's openness about sharing her story that KSF connects with so many others facing the challenges of mental illness.  Karla's spirit remains the soul of KSF. (For more information visit www.karlasmithfoundation.org )

And now about the awesome evening.....

Doors opened at 5:30 for guests to enjoy all kinds of food (International Continental Buffet and Open Bar) and fun activities such as the Wine Bistro, Jewel Cave, Casino and Silent Auction.  This is where we three winos had fun!  In the foyer, we greeted guests and showed them the way to the Wine Bistro. They could purchase a ticket (or two) to taste 3 wines provided by Randall's Wine & Spirits.  With their ticket they could choose a bottle of wine from the "wine wall" and that ticket was also placed in a drawing for the Instant Wine Cellar- which included an 18 bottle wine refrigerator filled with premium bottles of wine.  One guest was very lucky that night, but it wasn't me.

All of these activities closed at 8:20 so that the presentation and Oral Auction could begin at 8:30.

Tom & Fran Smith opened with a welcome and the Serenity Prayer (see below).  Kevin followed with a video of highlights of the foundation for 2013, so far this year.  Emily Smith, Kevin's wife, and Executive Director who worked tirelessly to coordinate the event, presented the 2013 Karla Smith Award to Tom Faulkner.  Tom directs all of the KSF marketing and as Emily mentioned, has transformed KSF's identity into a recognizable, current, professional and creative representation of the mission and values of the organization. Congrats to Tom!

Next was the Live Oral Auction led by Auctioneer, Adam Jokisch of Adam's Auction and Real Estate Services, which began with a simple auction of roses that ranged from $5000 down to $50.  Followed by 16 great auction packages ranging from trips to event tickets to family fun packages.  The night was a huge success and great fun was had by all.  I will end this blog with Karla's Serenity Prayer.  The second verse was written and prayed daily by Karla.



Karla's Serenity Prayer

 

 

God grant me

the serenity

to accept the things

I cannot change,

courage to change

the things I can,

and the

wisdom to know the

difference.

 

Show me the trace of you

in everyone I know.

Gently turn my gaze back

home, toward simplicity,

grace and gratitude.

Remind me that we are all

imperfect, holy and free.

Open me to know and

embrace your peace.

 

 

Blessings and cheers!

Lisa