Lakeside Heroes Initiative

08/31/2026

💚 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Nexus-Gerard Family Healing 💚

We’re grateful to have Nexus-Gerard Family Healing supporting Beyond the Shadows! Their commitment to helping individuals and families find healing, hope, and brighter futures aligns beautifully with what this event is all about.

Thank you for supporting our mission and our community! 💚

08/29/2026

Big updates are live on the Lakeside Heroes Initiative website! 🌟

We’ve been working hard to improve our resources for veterans, and we invite you to check out the changes at (https://lakesideheroesinitiative.org)

If you’re able, please consider contributing to our giving fund to help us continue supporting our veterans in the lakes area and beyond. The giving fund can be found on our website. Every bit makes a difference!

Also, don't forget to share our page with your friends and family to stay updated on our mission and future events. This helps us grow and continue serving those who have served us. Thank you for your incredible support! 🇺🇸

Lakeside Heroes Initiative supports veterans' mental health through gifts, workshops, and events, building connection and honoring their service and sacrifice

08/26/2026

These items will be available for sale at our booth for the Beyond The Shadows: Celebrating Life & Mental Health event on September 19th in Austin MN.

If you can’t make the event, but would like merchandise and to support our cause, please message us directly or follow our website below.

Apparel & Gear

- Limited Edition Baseball Jersey ($80): 1 each in sizes S, M, 2XL.

- Adult T-Shirt ($30): Sizes S (9), M (8), L (23), XL (20), 2XL (7).

- Youth T-Shirt ($20): 6 available.

- Trucker Hat ($35): 11 available in each color.

- Challenge Coin ($10)

- Velcro Patch ($5)

- 16 oz Cup ($5)

- Silicone Wristband ($2)

Every purchase includes free stickers!

https://lakesideheroesinitiative.org

08/25/2026

🌟 VOICES OF HOPE & INSPIRATION 🌟

We’re honored to welcome an incredible group of speakers to this year’s Beyond the Shadows event.

Each brings a unique story, perspective, and powerful message of hope, healing, resilience, and connection.

🎤 Theresa Sanchez
🎤 Randy Stocker
🎤 Ryan & Jennifer Hegge
🎤 Thomas Herrera

Their voices remind us why we gather—to have the conversations that matter, support one another, and remind people that hope is always worth holding onto.

We can’t wait for you to hear from them on September 19th! 💚

08/25/2026

Our team will be in attendance. We are looking forward to seeing the community of Austin!

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: Thomas Herrera

We’re honored to welcome Thomas Herrera to Beyond the Shadows! An 8-time MMA Champion, Minnesota Army National Guard Officer, psychiatric mental health registered nurse, and founder of Lakeside Heroes Initiative, Thomas is a passionate advocate for mental health who inspires others through his powerful message of hope, resilience, and purpose.

Join us on September 19th to hear Thomas’s incredible story and be inspired.

✨ Stay tuned as we introduce more of our amazing speakers and event lineup!

08/24/2026

🎶 PERFORMER SPOTLIGHT: Jeff Humphress (Papa J)! 🎶

We’re excited to welcome Jeff Humphress (Papa J) to the Beyond the Shadows stage! Jeff brings heartfelt music, authentic storytelling, and a passion for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Join us on September 19th as Jeff helps us celebrate life, inspire hope, and remind us that none of us are alone. 💚

✨ Stay tuned as we introduce more of the incredible entertainment lineup coming to Beyond the Shadows! 🎤

08/21/2026

Join us in celebrating our Deputy Director, Kelly Herrera, who has officially earned her Doctorate in Education! Kelly’s passion for education and commitment to our community are a constant inspiration to us all. We are so grateful to have you on the team.

Congratulations, Dr. Kelly Herrera, Ed.D.!

08/21/2026

"Don't ever let somebody tell you... You can't do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period."

- Chris Gardner

08/20/2026

Join us for Beyond the Shadows: Celebrating Life & Mental Health on September 19, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Austin, MN Bandshell/Veteran's Pavilion.

It’s a day dedicated to connection, community resources, and supporting scholarships for Mental Health and Auto Mechanics students at Riverland Community College in honor of Sam Alm.

We are proud to share that the Lakeside Heroes Initiative will be in attendance to support this mission and connect with the community.

Whether you're coming for the music, the food trucks, or to honor a loved one during the tribute, we hope to see you there!

08/19/2026

“I am proud to share that I am becoming a veteran volunteer for Moments Hospice in the Alexandria, MN area 🇺🇸

This role is deeply meaningful to me, as it aligns perfectly with the mission of my nonprofit organization, Lakeside Heroes Initiative , and our commitment to improving mental health outcomes for our veterans.

While I am honored with the opportunity to serve in this capacity, please note that my posts about this work will remain brief and general. Protecting patient privacy and adhering to HIPAA regulations is a top priority, so I will not be able to share specific, heartfelt patient stories. However, the impact of this work is profound, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support my fellow veterans during their final chapters.”

- Tom, Founder

Moments Hospice