rae-of-sunshine

7th Annual Rae of Sunshine Football Game

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:12:58 GMT

7th Annual Rae of Sunshine Football Game

What a night! Our 7th Annual Rae of Sunshine Football Game Bethlehem High School Official Page ! On Friday, the students wore Rae of Sunshine tees to school, planned a great evening and showed up to the game in Yellow! When I arrived at Five Star Field, I rounded the corner to find an amazing sign made by Dance Pro's of Bardstown, Inc. to honor Taylor…I was blown away with the picture and the kindness. The team had the cutest overalls that was decorated with cute messages related to sunshine, Taylor Rae and their performance. The cheerleaders from both Bethlehem Cheer and Washington Co Cheer had cute Rae of Sunshine shirts and bows! The football team and coaching staff had Rae of Sunshine shirts …it was a cross town rival but everyone wearing shirts as a reminder to be the sunshine, smile and that mental health is important. The Bethlehem smile club painted faces and gave out bracelets. We awarded a 2,000 scholarship to Riley Ellis! At half time Dance Pro's of Bardstown, Inc. did an amazing performance centered around Taylor Rae’s picture and songs about Sunshine. A fan told me that it was a beautiful tribute to foundations work and to Taylor—I agree. The student section was full of yellow and cheers. The crowd for the game was HUGE! Everyone was so nice. And this year we tried something new —sponsorships and the support was overwhelming….we had to cut it off bc of the amount of interest. We had local support, support from around KY and even a sponsor from Fort Myers, Florida. Our sponsors really want students and people to know that their story matters and if you need help, the resources are out there. We, as a family and a foundation, cannot say thank you enough. If we help one family then we are achieving our goals!

Sponsors:

ReRe Nicholson, Realtor

Nolan Construction

Sprinflield Laundry

The BK Store

Romine Media

Keith & Taylora Schlosser

The Grill at Maywood

Uncle Charlie’s Meats

Denita & Mark Simms

Mudd Farms

Baskin Robbins, Bardstown

The Law Office of David Goldberg, P.A.

In Memory of Steve Hart (Betty Kelly Hart)

CINTAS

Cain’s Mobil Detailing

Revis Companies

Guardian Home Loans

Legacy Pitching

Agency Title Inc.

GNG Productions

Atmosphere Entertainment

How to Get Involved: 3 Ways to Join the Rae of Sunshine Movement

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 23:01:07 GMT

How to Get Involved: 3 Ways to Join the Rae of Sunshine Movement

You don’t have to be a mental health expert to make a difference.

At Rae of Sunshine Foundation, we believe in the power of community to create change. Whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or caring neighbor, there’s a way for you to take action and be part of something bigger.

Here are three meaningful ways to join the movement:

�� 1. Become a Rae of Sunshine Ambassador

Our ambassadors are the heart of our mission—volunteers who spread awareness, uplift others, and inspire change in their schools and communities.

What you can do as an ambassador:

Share mental health resources and messages of hope
Lead awareness campaigns or fundraisers
Help bring Rae of Sunshine programs to your area
Be a positive presence wherever you are

You'll receive support, resources, and a community of changemakers to grow with.

�� Become an Ambassador →

�� 2. Start a S.M.I.L.E. Club at Your School

S.M.I.L.E. Clubs (Students Mentoring and Inspiring through Leadership and Education) create safe, student-led spaces to talk about mental health and kindness.

We provide everything you need to launch:

Monthly themes and activity guides
Simple tools for running meetings
Ongoing help from our team
A growing network of like-minded schools

Whether you’re a student or educator, starting a club is one of the most powerful ways to make a lasting impact.

�� Start a Club →

�� 3. Support Our Mission as a Donor or Sponsor

Financial gifts—big or small—help us reach more students, create more resources, and expand our message of hope across Kentucky and beyond.

Ways to give:

Make a one-time or monthly donation
Become a corporate sponsor (Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels)
Dedicate a birthday or event to mental health fundraising

Every dollar helps us bring education, connection, and light where it’s needed most.

�� Donate or Sponsor →

✨ Together, We Shine Brighter

Your involvement is more than a gesture—it’s a ripple of hope that spreads through schools, families, and entire communities.

Ready to make a difference?
Let’s do it together.

5 Ways to Support a Friend Who’s Struggling with Mental Health

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:48:19 GMT

Practical Steps for Compassionate Help and Suicide Prevention

One in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. But behind every statistic is a person—someone you might know and care about. Knowing how to support a friend through a tough time can make all the difference. Here are five simple, powerful ways to show up with empathy and action.

1. Recognize the Warning Signs

Changes in mood, behavior, or energy can signal that someone is struggling. Look out for:

Persistent sadness or irritability
Withdrawing from social activities
Sleep issues or fatigue
Loss of interest in things they once enjoyed
Talking about feeling hopeless or like a burden

If they express suicidal thoughts or show signs of crisis, seek help immediately—call or text 988 in the U.S.

2. Start a Supportive Conversation

A caring check-in can open the door to healing. Try:

“I’ve noticed you’ve seemed down lately—want to talk about it?”
“I care about you and I’m here to listen.”

Be patient, nonjudgmental, and avoid minimizing their feelings. Use open-ended questions and practice active listening.

3. Offer Practical Help

Small actions can make a big difference. You might:

Bring over a meal or help run errands
Invite them for a walk or gentle activity
Offer to help find or schedule a therapist
Check in regularly with a simple “thinking of you” text

Ask permission before stepping in, and respect their space if they’re not ready.

4. Encourage Professional Support

If their symptoms persist or worsen, encourage them to talk to a mental health professional. Options include:

Therapists for talk-based support
Psychiatrists for diagnosis and medication
Social workers for additional resources and counseling

You can help by offering to research options, sit with them during a call, or go with them to an appointment.

5. Know How to Respond in a Crisis

If your friend is in immediate danger:

Stay with them and keep the environment safe
Listen calmly and avoid judgment
Call or text 988 , or dial 911 if necessary
Use grounding techniques to keep them present until help arrives

Your calm presence can be life-saving.

You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers

Being a supportive friend means showing up with compassion, not perfection. Just being there—really there—can provide comfort, hope, and strength when it’s needed most.

Why Early Mental Health Education Matters—And How We’re Making a Difference

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:40:42 GMT

Why Early Mental Health Education Matters—And How We’re Making a Difference

At Rae of Sunshine Foundation, we believe that conversations about mental health shouldn’t begin in crisis—they should begin in community. The earlier we equip young people with tools to understand and care for their mental well-being, the better chance they have to grow into resilient, compassionate adults.

That’s where early mental health education comes in.

Why It Matters

Studies show that most mental health conditions begin before age 24, with nearly 50% starting by age 14. But too often, students don’t learn how to recognize signs of stress, anxiety, or depression—or where to turn for help.

Early education helps:

Reduce stigma and silence around mental health
Build emotional literacy and coping skills
Encourage peer-to-peer support
Normalize asking for help
Save lives through prevention and awareness

It’s not about adding more pressure to schools. It’s about giving students the language, support, and safe spaces they need to thrive.

How We’re Taking Action

Our signature program, S.M.I.L.E. Club , is a student-led mental health initiative that brings monthly conversations and activities into schools across Kentucky and beyond. Each month focuses on a core theme—like self-esteem, empathy, or stress management—delivered through hands-on activities, discussion prompts, and school-wide engagement.

We provide:

A ready-to-use curriculum
Onboarding support and guidance
Encouragement and community for club leaders
Real stories and real impact from students who care

S.M.I.L.E. Clubs are designed to be flexible, fun, and meaningful. Whether a school has ten students or a thousand, there’s room for everyone to be involved.

The Ripple Effect

We’ve seen firsthand what happens when students feel heard, valued, and empowered to lead. Teachers report more open conversations in the classroom. Students look out for one another. Schools become safer, stronger communities.

And at the heart of it all is a simple belief: Mental health matters. And so do our kids.

How You Can Help

Start a S.M.I.L.E. Club at your school
Donate to help us expand our reach
Share this message with an educator, parent, or student in your life

Together, we can build a future where mental health is a conversation, not a crisis.

rae-of-sunshine

7th Annual Rae of Sunshine Football Game

7th Annual Rae of Sunshine Football Game

Sponsors:

How to Get Involved: 3 Ways to Join the Rae of Sunshine Movement

How to Get Involved: 3 Ways to Join the Rae of Sunshine Movement

�� 1. Become a Rae of Sunshine Ambassador

�� 2. Start a S.M.I.L.E. Club at Your School

�� 3. Support Our Mission as a Donor or Sponsor

✨ Together, We Shine Brighter

5 Ways to Support a Friend Who’s Struggling with Mental Health

Practical Steps for Compassionate Help and Suicide Prevention

1. Recognize the Warning Signs

2. Start a Supportive Conversation

3. Offer Practical Help

4. Encourage Professional Support

5. Know How to Respond in a Crisis

﻿ You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers

Why Early Mental Health Education Matters—And How We’re Making a Difference

Why Early Mental Health Education Matters—And How We’re Making a Difference

Why It Matters

How We’re Taking Action

The Ripple Effect

﻿ How You Can Help

You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers

How You Can Help