I have decided to use this post to say Thank you to all the small business owners who have graciously donated their time and money to the Keith Milano Memorial Fund and our efforts to raise awareness for mental illness.

A number of authors, CEO’s of their own small businesses, will stand by my side in Las Vegas during #RT16 while we drink martinis, eat cupcakes, and work to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Then in May over two dozen authors will support the Keith Milano Memorial Fund when they donate a portion of their May 2016 book sales to the fund.

These amazing CEO’s come from a wide array of backgrounds, many are self-published (some were when they first supported the fund and have now signed with major publishers), but you know what, it is not about how or who publishes the book, it is about the beautiful words inside, the stories that move people and the hearts of these wonderful authors who have helped keep Keith’s memory alive.

These small business owners never knew Keith, but they give their time, their money, and so many give their heart and soul to the effort in his memory to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

So why write this post?

Well, I wanted to say thank you and to remind people that so many authors give from their soul, that it is not about me vs. you or my way vs. your way. This amazing community has embraced our family’s mission and I couldn’t be more grateful that our efforts have struck a nerve. The stories people share, the outreach, the connecting with others who have suffered, even the plots that weave mental illness into them, all of that is because authors have opened their souls.

I hope this post will be read and that people will try, try hard not to judge how another author chooses to build their business, because that is what it is – THEIR business.

I am touched to my soul that so many small business owners have chosen Keith and mental illness as a way to give back!

I hope the next time someone chooses to paint a community with a broad brush that they will sit back and think maybe I should reserve judgement or maybe I should take that time I was going to write a snarky judgmental piece and use it to focus on my work or to give back in some way.

If you are going to be in Vegas, for RT16 between April 12 to the 16th please come find me!

I would love to say Thank You if you have supported our efforts in Keith’s Memory, or Thank you if you have read a post or review from Shh Moms Reading™.

Thank you just never seems like enough. So I am sending a big virtual hug from a sister left alone after the suicide of her only sibling, who has found so much love and support in the virtual arms of what used to be strangers and now people I am honored to call friends!

If you want to know more about Keith or why I do what I do, here is short video/interview that speaks to that!
https://vimeo.com/148760740

If you are attending RT please feel free to join us: http://bit.ly/RTKMMFmda
Martinis, Desserts, and Authors will take place Thursday, April 14, 7:00pm at the Rio Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV.

If you would like to donate a physical item to the online auction, complete the following donation form: http://goo.gl/forms/yS8vdNQnQb

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! <3

Keith Milano Memorial Fund
140 Adams Ave Suite B-12
Hauppauge NY 11788
www.keithmilano.org
www.kamauction.org
https://www.facebook.com/keithamilano
@MilanoFund
Direct Donation: http://bit.ly/MilanoFund

The Keith Milano Memorial Fund benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). http://www.afsp.org/ Donations at the end of the May Mental Awareness Event will be made by the authors directly to The Keith Milano Memorial Fund at AFSP. Keith’s fund is a self-directed memorial fund. Funds raised are spent on programs and research programs selected by the Milano / Sprung family
For examples of programs: http://www.keithmilano.org/#info
AFSP is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.
AFSP is a fully accredited 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization incorporated in the state of Delaware with primary offices in New York City. Federal tax ID # is 13-3393329.
AFSP’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) number is 10545. Donations to AFSP are tax deductible.