Poppy’s Run For Life

09/25/2026

🎉 We’re excited to announce that our silent auction is now live, and bidding is officially open leading up to the night of our Gala on Saturday, October 10th!

🎁 Take a moment to browse our incredible auction items and experiences, then place your bids for a chance to win while making a meaningful impact 🫶

💙 Every bid helps support the mission of Poppy’s For Life and directly benefits A Journey Through Life Journey Through Life and Stop Soldier Su***de Stop Soldier Su***de . Your participation helps bring hope, healing, and support to those who need it most.

🔗Link in bio to start exploring and bidding today!

🌼 Together, we can make a difference, one bid at a time✨
***dePrevention 💜✨

09/14/2026

💜 September is Su***de Awareness and Prevention Month, and we are officially one month away from our very first Poppy’s For Life Gala 🌼

At Poppy’s For Life, we understand that mental health looks different for everyone. We’ve witnessed incredible courage, vulnerability, and strength within our community—and we’re deeply grateful for the chance to give back and help create meaningful change ✨

As we count down to this special evening, we want to remind you that every effort, every donation, and every act of support truly matters. 🤝 If you feel called to contribute, our donation link is available in our bio. 💙

Our gala is designed to raise awareness, spark honest conversations, inspire action, and—most importantly—celebrate life. 🕯️💜

Join us for the Poppy’s For Life Gala, an evening dedicated to su***de prevention, mental health awareness, and hope. Together, we honor the lives we’ve lost, support those who are struggling, and raise funds for life‑saving resources and programs. 🌟

We’re also thrilled to host both a silent auction and a live auction filled with amazing items and unforgettable experiences. 🎁 Take a moment to explore our sneak peek of auction listings, and get ready to place your bids when the auction officially opens! 🏆

💙 Every bid supports the mission of Poppy’s For Life and directly benefits A Journey Through Life Journey Through Life and Stop Soldier Su***de Stop Soldier Su***de. Stay tuned for the full auction link and get ready to bid on these incredible items and experiences! 🌼✨

***deawarenessandPrevention 💜✨

08/07/2026

🌟 Join us in welcoming Lisa Kisner Smith , our new Military Partnership Coordinator!

📬 Last month in our newsletter, we introduced our newest board member — and while she’s new to the Board, she’s been a longtime friend to Caryn.

🏃‍♀️ Caryn and Lisa Mae met 15 years ago at an adult running camp in Estes Park, Colorado (yes… a running camp 😄). Since then, they’ve shared laughter, tears, and unwavering support through every season of life. Their constant has always been the same: deep love and steadfast friendship ❤️

💬 What does Poppy’s mean to you?

“Poppy’s represents a space for honest connection, hard conversations, and loving support for families, survivors, and friends who may be struggling. Realizing they’re not alone in their grief and healing is one of the greatest gifts. Being part of Poppy’s means witnessing transformation — people finally feeling seen and understood. Bearing witness to love on this level makes me better. May I never miss a chance to show up for people, especially in the hardest moments.”

💬 Anything else you want to add?

“Caryn’s friendship is one of my life’s greatest blessings. The love she and her family share so freely reminds me of what truly matters.”

🍬 Favorite Candy : Haribo Gummy Bears 🐻✨
***depreventionawareness 💜💚

07/26/2026

Caryn just completed the Mad River Marathon in Vermont on Sunday, July 12th, finishing in 4:36:48 and placing 2nd in her age group (60–64) 🏅

This marks 25 of her 50‑state marathon goal by 2027 — halfway there! 🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️💪🏼

Good friend and Poppy’s supporter, Jamie Lopez, finished the marathon in 5:20:21, and her husband, Vladimir Lopez, completed the 5K in 33:01 — both proudly racing in their Poppy’s Run For Life shirts 💜💚

Huge thank you to Jamie and Vladimir for their continued support! 🫶🏻✨

Which state is next? Stay tuned — 25 down, 25 to go! 🌎✨

If you haven’t been keeping up with our newsletters, you’re missing out on our founder’s adventures, weekly community highlights and event updates✨

Sign up for our newsletters by clicking the link in our bio 🔗📩
***deprevention

07/07/2026

✨Poppy’s Run For Life has a new home for 2027— EAST RIVER!

📣We’re thrilled to announce our 5th Annual Poppy’s Run For Life will take place on

🗓️Sunday, April 4th at East River, a vibrant mixed‑use district along Buffalo Bayou just minutes from downtown Houston.

🎟️Sign up by midnight July 27 for our $25 early‑bird registration for either the 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, or Poppy’s AWD♿️ (Athletes with disabilities) 1 mile, 5k or 10k distances.

👐🏼Can’t join us in person? Our Virtual Run is only $35!

We are grateful for each and everyone who has participated and contributed in making our community bigger each year.

Our purpose is to unite communities, honor those lost to su***de, support those affected by su***de, and raise funds for su***de prevention, education and awareness.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏽It’s more than a race — it’s a journey of strength, connection, and a reminder that we are never alone, even through difficult times.

🔗sign up link on our bio

East River
📍2920 Riverby Road
Houston, TX 77020
🔗https://eastriverhtx.com
***depreventionawareness

06/26/2026

As we near the end of June, we pause to honor and uplift our LGBTQIA+ community 🏳️‍🌈✨. Their lives matter, their stories matter, and their presence continues to shape a more compassionate Houston 🤝💙. We’re grateful to witness the flourishing progress of a community that stands together, supports one another through difficult moments 💛, and returns year after year to celebrate resilience, joy, and connection 🌈🎉

The reality remains that 39% of LGBTQ+ young people ages 13–24 seriously considered attempting su***de in the past year, including 46% of transgender and nonbinary youth 🕊️📊. Yet here in the heart of Houston, we are fortunate to have a community where people can lean on one another and find spaces that remind them they are not alone 🤗🏙️

No one should face mental health concerns in isolation 🌿. We are committed to providing supportive environments where people can gather, breathe, and feel seen 💬💞

If you or someone you know is navigating a difficult time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the local resources listed below 📞🧡

You matter. And together, we are changing the narrative around mental health and su***de prevention—one act of courage, one conversation, and one community moment at a time 🌟💬🌈

🤍 the Montrose Center
❤️LGBT National Hotline
800-843-4564
🧡National Parent Helpline
855-427-2736
💛Emergencies: 911
💚Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
988
24 hours a day, seven days a week
https://988lifeline.org/
💙Sage LGBT Elder Hotline
888-234-7243
💜Safe Place
S.A.F.E. Alternatives Self-harm Hotline
800-366-8288
🩷USA Su***de & Crisis Hotlines. Free, 24/7 Chat, Text & Phone
(findahelpline.com)
🌈 ***depreventionandawareness

05/31/2026

As Mental Health Month comes to a close, we’re reminded that mental health isn’t something we honor for only one month — it’s something we navigate every single day. Every moment, every interaction, every piece of news shapes how we adapt to our surroundings, to others, and to ourselves.

Every journey is different, and because of that, there are resources and people ready to help. Please don’t hesitate to seek support. Reaching out — whether for yourself or someone you love — is an act of courage.

At Poppy’s, we encourage taking a daily pause to check in with yourself and to check in on those who may be struggling. You don’t need to have all the answers. What creates space for healing is simply being there — present, compassionate, and willing to listen.

🌸For more information on attending our inaugural Poppy’s For Life Gala coming this fall please see details below.

📅 Date & Time
October 3, 2026
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

📍 Location
Omni Houston Hotel
4 Riverway Drive, Houston, TX 77056

🔗Link in Bio for more information
***depreventionawareness

05/02/2026

Last Saturday night, Poppy’s showed up in full Team Villains glory at Once Upon a Time Empowering Our Future Gala 2026 🪄✨

It was a beautiful evening filled with dazzling performances, heartfelt stories, and powerful reminders of why our contribution to their work matters so deeply 💜

We each hold the power to help LGBTQ+ young people write their own happily‑ever‑after, and we’re endlessly grateful to stand with a community that believes in that future💚

Thank you, Montrose Center, for everything you do. We had such a wonderful time that by the end of the night, our very own Mother Gothel and Captain Hook made themselves right at home — chaos, charm, and all🪄🪝🧙🏽‍♀️✨

04/21/2026

🫶🏻✨

💜 Thank you, Poppy’s Run For Life!

The su***de-prevention and -awareness event on March 8th powers life-saving, su***de prevention work. We are honored to accept this $40K donation as a beneficiary of this annual event.

Because of you, Houston’s LGBTQ+ community has access to the mental health care, counseling, and su***de prevention resources they deserve, and no one has to face their hardest moments alone.

To Caryn and the entire Poppy's team, and to every runner, volunteer, and donor: thank you for turning love and remembrance into hope for so many.

With gratitude, the Montrose Center 💜

04/13/2026

💎Introducing the First‑Ever Poppy’s For Life Gala💎

A new chapter in our mission to bring hope, healing, and connection to our community begins this fall.

🌸We are honored to invite you to an evening created with intention, compassion, and purpose. The Poppy’s For Life Gala brings together survivors, supporters, advocates, and loved ones to uplift mental health awareness and strengthen the life‑saving resources that so many depend on.

💜This inaugural event is more than a gathering—it’s a space for truth‑telling, shared stories, and collective healing. Through powerful moments of reflection and unity, we will honor the lives we’ve lost while standing with those who are still fighting.

💚At the heart of the evening is one simple belief:
No one should ever feel alone in their darkest moments.

🫶🏻Hope is real. Help is real. Healing is possible.

📅 Date & Time
October 3, 2026
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

📍 Location
Omni Houston Hotel
4 Riverway Drive, Houston, TX 77056

🔗 https://www.poppysforlife.org/poppy-s-for-life-gala
***depreventionawareness