Non Profit Holding Uplifting Fundraiser This Sunday For Teen Suicide Education And Prevention

In June of 2017, the Sumner family lost their teenage son Zachary to suicide. In the months following, Zach's family and friends started the grassroots organization Kid in the Corner, which is holding its first fundraiser, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, on Sunday, December 30, at Stagebrush Theatre in Scottsdale,

"Our mission is to reach out to the kid in the corner, whomever that may be," Zach's mother Francine Sumner explains, "To do acts of contagious kindness, start difficult conversations, and to shatter the stigma around mental illness. When Zach was first diagnosed, I had no idea what to do or who to contact. The battle to save my kid was overwhelming, and his loss was insurmountable. I never want another parent to have to go through this."

Kid in the Corner is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to educating kids, teachers, and families about mental health, promoting acts of contagious kindness and providing kids with community support and mental health resources. The Kid in the Corner curriculum is now a part of many schools including, Horizon High school, Desert Springs elementary school, Chaparral High school, Wildfire Elementary school, as well as Bothell High School outside of Seattle, WA. Board member Debbie Popeil shares, "We're even working with The Girl Scouts to incorporate Kid in the Corner activities to help girls earn their kindness badges. We plan to build Kid in the Corner clubs at every high school, middle school, and elementary school in AZ. We cannot sit idly by and watch this epidemic of teen suicide continue to grow. Not on our watch."

YOU ARE NOT ALONE will feature Arizona homegrown youth musical theatre stars from Arcadia, Chandler, Chaparral and Horizon High Schools. It will also showcase Rachel Redleaf (co-star of the Netflix series Atypical), Casey Likes and Rebecca Steiner, (2018 National High School Musical Theatre Award (NHSMTA) best vocalist nominees), plus nationally known storyteller Debra Rich Gettleman, former Rockette Karen Burns, and celebrated local comic, Char Summerfield.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE will feature some of the most popular songs from current musicals including "Dear Evan Hansen," "Hamilton," "The Greatest Showman," and "Mean Girls," along with acts of comedy, storytelling and a powerful finale by Zach's alma mater, the Horizon High School choir.

"We are raising money to save kids' lives. But this show is all about hope, empowerment, and joy! It will be a fantastic night of entertainment with the most talented youth performers and adults from near and far," said Producer Debra Rich Gettleman. "It is the perfect way to ring in 2019!"

Join us on Sunday, December 30, 2018, at 6:30 pm for our first annual YOU ARE NOT ALONE Cabaret night to raise funds for Kid in The Corner programming and to continue our mission. The night will showcase local talent performing acts of hope, belonging, and self-confidence through song, drama, and comedy. The show takes place at Stagebrush Theatre, 7020 E 2nd St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Tickets are $45 in advance ($55 at the door) and are available at Brown Paper Tickets. To learn more about Kid in the Corner, visit www.kidinthecorner.org

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