Benefits of Laughter 2021
Thursday, October 21, 2021
6:15 p.m. - Reception
7:15 p.m. - Dinner and Program
Our signature fundraising event held each fall, Benefits of Laughter celebrates stories of recovery from mental illness and affirms the importance of effective mental treatment for the health of our workforce, schools, and community. A unique feature of the evening is a comedy performance, proving that sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.
Entertainment
Fortune Feimster
You can catch stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, Fortune Feimster, on the radio, on screens big and small, and touring her stand-up across the nation. Fortune Feimster’s first one-hour special, SWEET & SALTY, is currently streaming on Netflix and was nominated for Best Comedy Special for the Critics’ Choice Awards. Prior to her one-hour special, Netflix released Feimster’s half-hour special in 2018 as part of THE STANDUPS, which received rave reviews. She has done late-night TV sets on CONAN and LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS and has another acclaimed half-hour special on Comedy Central.
Skyland Trail will follow public health recommendations for physical distancing and gatherings. The 2021 event likely will include a limited capacity in-person event with a live stream or recorded program to reach a larger remote audience.
Annually the event raises more than $1 million through corporate and individual contributions. Proceeds support financial aid awards that improve access to treatment and important therapeutic programs for adults and teens.
CONTACT: Pam McAdams at 678.686.5905 or pmcadams@skylandtrail.org
2021 Volunteer Leadership
EVENT CHAIRS
Christine Ragland
Carrie Lanier
CORPORATE COMMITTEE
Jim Hannan, Chair
Chowning Aguilera
Kerri Daniels
Jim Kerr
Billy Levine
David Love
Bill Ragland
Ty Smith
Dan Staley
Will Stengel
Angela Woods
PATRON COMMITTEE
Cindy & John Ferguson, Co-Chairs
Andrea & Ned Montag, Co-Chairs
Kit & David Bowlin
Ginny & Charles Brewer
Lisa & William Bridges
Christie & Doug Derrick
Rand & Seth Hagen
Danica Kombol & David Lewis
Mary Gill & Dennis Kruszewski
Kim & David Marks
Beth & David Park
Sharmila & Sreeni Prabhu
Becky & Mark Riley
Carrie & Jim Shelden
Mary Bridget & Greg Thurman
Ally & Todd Wandtke
2021 Event Sponsorship
Mental illness affects individuals, families, businesses and communities. Event sponsorship helps individuals with mental illness access and fully engage in a nationally recognized treatment program.
2021 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Benefits of Laughter 2020
ATLANTA – On Thursday, October 22, 2020, Skyland Trail hosted the first virtual Benefits of Laughter, which raised more than $1 million for mental health treatment services at Skyland Trail. The $1 million will support essential therapeutic programs, family support services, and financial aid to help clients access and complete mental…
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ATLANTA – On Thursday, October 17, 2019, more than 500 guests attended Benefits of Laughter at the St Regis Atlanta, raising more than $1.1 million for mental health treatment services at Skyland Trail. The $1.1 million—the most raised in the history of the signature Skyland Trail fundraising event—will support essential therapeutic…
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