The Well Community Auxiliary, which supports The Well Community, a nonprofit organization serving adults dealing with severe mental illnesses, will host its very first benefit WellSpring Celebration Luncheon on Thursday, April 4, at the historical Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Avenue, Dallas from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at $100 and can be purchased online at wellcommunity.org/wellspring.

The event starts at noon and will feature a riveting conversation with Charles Haley—the Dallas Cowboy legend and Hall of Famer. Haley faced the isolating effects of mental illness during his NFL career with his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Charles will discuss parts of his journey with veteran and award-winning television sports anchor and broadcast journalist Scott Murray. Guests to the luncheon will learn more from them about mental health, stigma and the role the community has in bringing hope and healing. Over time, Haley has helped others dealing with mental health challenges find common ground and acceptance—two key values The Well Community provides for its members as they regain stability and purpose.

“The thing that I find most intriguing and that took me a long time to understand is that when you have mental illness, you have to take responsibility for it,” says Haley. Haley has done just that and has also become an educator and advocate to help others understand. “When people hear the words ‘mental illness,’ they think there is something seriously, seriously wrong. It’s just a chemical imbalance in the brain.”

At the WellSpring Celebration Luncheon, the Super Bowl champ will also be the first recipient of the new Courage and Advocacy Award. Ann Tabony will receive the Founder’s Award for her years of volunteer service as art teacher at The Well Community.

“We are thrilled to have Charles Haley share his journey with us,” says Vickie Fisk, President of The Well Auxiliary. “His story educates, inspires and encourages all who live with mental health conditions, as well as those of us who want to support them.”

According to Alice Zaccarello, Executive Director of The Well Community, “This Dallas Cowboy Hall of Famer not only had the grit to become a five-time Super Bowl champ but even more remarkable, he has learned to manage bipolar disorder and become a spokesman, an advocate, a champion for mental health. I know his words will help us all become better informed and greatly motivated so that we can help combat stigma and become advocates for mental health care.”

Information on becoming a sponsor for the WellSpring Celebration Luncheon is available at wellcommunity.org/wellspringsponsors.

Sponsors for the inaugural WellSpring Celebration Luncheon include*:

K&P Gates, LLP

Elizabeth and Ryan Schorman

Shirlee and Chuck Bealke

Cindy Carpenter-Smith

Methodist Dallas Medical Center

Perdue Equities

Gabor Racz

Chad West, PLLC

Lisa Clayton

Eyecon, Inc

Stefani Held

Becky Hicks

*As of  03/04/19