Those who knew Tyler Joseph Leonard, knew him best for his sincerity, according to Joel Baptista. 

“Whether it was a hug, whether it was a text, a phone call, an I love you — he meant it,” Baptista said. “He had his issues, but he always made time for others.”

Tyler lost his life to suicide the day before his 30th birthday in 2018. For the last three years, his family and friends continue to keep his memory alive as they bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention through the Tyler Joseph Memorial Foundation. 

At the third annual fundraising event, the Foundation was joined at the Allendale Club Saturday, Sept. 7 for music, food, entertainment, a silent auction and 110 raffle prizes. 

The Gymnastics and Dance Academy of Dartmouth, which Tyler had been a part of, donated their time to perform a number of dances for attendees.

“He touched so many people in so many different ways,” Baptista said, who is a member of the board. He added now, it's the Foundation’s turn.

Since the Foundation was formed, members have raised funds to put toward scholarships for local students, including five $1,000 awards handed out this year, and to sponsor Caleb Joseph, a former division one basketball player who travels around the country telling his own story while promoting mental health awareness.

Board member Marc Audette said this year, the Foundation was able to sponsor Caleb Joseph at six area high schools and one college, “and the feedback we've gotten from the community after his speaking engagements has been nothing but incredible.”

Baptista said, “We touched over 5,000 kids in our message of mental health awareness and suicide prevention, collaborating with Caleb Joseph and his self help tour,” adding how they’ve seen the results of this work, with kids sharing their own stories.

Next, the Foundation is looking to get involved in an organization that offers a peer-to-peer program. 

Baptista said while they may be a group made up of about 10 friends and family, “the Foundation is bigger than that.”

He added, “The foundation is the community of people who align with what we're trying to do, and we're trying to reach out to the community and tell them, ‘Come on, jump on board with us. Let's break the stigma and start the conversation.’”

For more information or to reach out to the Foundation, visit their Facebook page.