Teaming Up for Mental Wellness
Teaming Up for Mental Wellness
February 28th, 2025
The conversation around mental health has never been more important. For far too long, struggles with mental wellness were met with silence, stigma, and a lack of resources. That’s why the Lobdell Family Foundation is proud to stand alongside the Syracuse Crunch as a founding partner of the Mental Wellness Campaign – an initiative designed to not only raise awareness but to actively engage the community in building healthier minds and lives.
Mental health isn’t just a cause, it’s personal. It affects every family, every workplace, every community. This mission is deeply rooted in a lifetime of learning, listening, and advocating for those who feel unheard. Through the Lobdell Family Foundation, our family has worked to provide meaningful resources and support to those struggling, ensuring that mental wellness is treated with the same urgency and care as physical health.
That’s what makes this partnership with the Syracuse Crunch so special. It’s more than a campaign – it’s a movement. Since its launch in November 2023, the Mental Wellness Campaign has brought together local businesses, community leaders, and Crunch players to educate and inspire. Whether through school visits, mindfulness coaching, or simply normalizing the conversation around mental health, the impact is growing each season.
On March 1st, the Crunch will host their Annual Mental Wellness Night, a powerful reminder that sports can be a platform for change. Fans in attendance will see firsthand how this campaign is making a difference.
- Special Edition Jerseys: The Crunch will warm up in custom Mental Wellness jerseys, later auctioned off postgame to benefit mental health initiatives.
- In-Game Messaging: Mental wellness tips and stories will be displayed throughout the arena to encourage fans to prioritize their own well-being.
- Pledge Cards: Attendees will have the opportunity to commit to their own mental wellness journey by sharing a personal pledge.
In addition to the game itself, the Crunch has also teamed up with Safe Space Organization and Right Mind Syracuse for a Mocktails for Mental Health event earlier in the day at Emerald Cocktail Kitchen – a chance to foster community and conversation in a supportive space.
The Lobdell Family Foundation’s commitment to mental health doesn’t stop at the rink. This season, the foundation has also donated suite nights to David’s Refuge, Syracuse Challenger Baseball, and Vera House – organizations dedicated to supporting those in need, whether it be caregivers, individuals with disabilities, or survivors of domestic violence.
This is what community looks like. It’s people coming together, lifting each other up, and reminding one another that no one has to struggle alone.
There’s still so much work to be done, but events like Mental Wellness Night prove that progress is happening. When local businesses, sports teams, and families rally together around mental health, we chip away at the stigma and build a culture where seeking help is seen as a strength, not a weakness.
To everyone who has supported this initiative by showing up, speaking out, or simply checking in on a friend, thank you.
See you at the game.
Stay tuned – new updates coming soon from the Lobdell Family Foundation including the official launch of our LobdellFamily.org platform supporting causes and making an impact around the globe.
