Gather Around the Campfire

"Possibly most important of all, it lets people know that there is someone who cares and is there to help when they are in need," said Campfire Fund president Ryan Goldberg.

This year marks the second year the organization has held the Elijah Stepherson Men's Health Concert. This year's lineup will feature music from Nikki Forgione, Justin Colvard, Kyle Wilson, Jessie Ritter, Joey Collins, Allie Bryan, the Victrolas and others.

"We are often approached at events and messaged on social media about how a social media post or event poster from The Campfire Fund of Florida has sparked a conversation, be it family or friends, about mental health issues and how men are often held to different standards when it comes to talking about their feelings or their emotional state," Goldberg said. "And it is not just Pensacola or the Gulf Coast. We receive messages and donations from around the world."

The Campfire Fund of Florida is a newly formed Pensacola-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides funding and mental health re sources to men in the community. was conceived in November 2021 after the loss of local friend and musician Elijah Stepherson.

"Elijah was an amazing person and an incred ibly talented singer and songwriter," said Brett Benton, vice president of the nonprofit. "His death greatly impacted our friend group, as well as the Gulf Coast music community."

To the organizers of this charity, Stepherson's death highlighted the fact that men's mental health is often overlooked. The Campfire Fund, named after Stepherson's song "Campfire," addresses men's mental health by providing financial access to counseling for members of the Pensacola community who are unable to afford it.

"We hold events locally to raise awareness about men's mental health issues and work to remove the stigma attached to men asking

Best Rising Leader trying to help as many people as possible. services

Best Hair Salon

Best Hair Stylist

Best Hair Colorist

Best Barber Shop

"The concert impacts us and the community in various ways," Benton said. "First of all, it allows The Campfire Fund to get our message out, letting the community know we exist and what we offer. Last year, the day after the concert, we had calls from people who needed help finding and paying for therapy. The concert also allows us to raise money, so we can pay for the therapy sessions."

Best Men's Hair Stylist

Best Day Spa

Best Massage

Best Massage Therapist

Best Pedicure

"For us originally, it was just a way to remember and honor Elijah," said Jim Hamilton, a member of the Victrolas and supporter of the organization. "It's now the most important event of the year for us. There's a great sense of love and community that happens at this event."

Best Politician

Best Person to Have on Your Side

Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests

Best Day Trip

Best Annual Event

Best Pub Crawl

Best Food Event

Best Manicure

Best Waxing

Best Facial

Best Esthetician

Best Skin Care Overall

Best Bank

Best Credit Union

Best Regular/Reoccurring Event

Best Parade

Best Free Event

Best Neighborhood

Best Pensacola Landmark

Best Public Park

Best Pet-Friendly Park

Best Playground

Best Financial Advisor

Best Accounting Firm

▶rules

•Only one ballot per envelope.

•Vote in at least 25 categories. Ballots with fewer than 25 will not be counted.

•No photocopies or faxes will be accepted.

Since its founding, the organization has raised over $30,000 to support men's mental health in the community. Organizers of the upcoming concert fundraiser hope that attendees will not only have a good time but remember that The Campfire Fund is there for them, their family and their friends. If someone you know needs help or wants to talk to a professional therapist, the organization will work to facilitate and pay for their therapy sessions.

•Ballots must be postmarked by July 31, 2019.

▶mail your ballot to Best of the Coast c/o Inweekly, PO Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591

A close friend of Stepherson's, Hamilton says that he wants his friend to be honored and remembered through positive action. He believes that men should never be afraid to ask for help or access surrounding mental health services.

▶required info

Name E-mail

"I find it incredibly important to have something there to help people get to where they can see a therapist to work through their problems," Hamilton said. "This organization gives men an anonymous way of getting that help, and I think that's important for our soci -

"We started this charity to help people, and that is what we do," Goldberg said. "We are all volunteers, and no one gets paid. Every cent goes to paying for mental health resources, and we have an increasing number of people utilizing The Campfire Fund. Our good friend Jim Hamilton might have said it best—'This is the most important thing we've ever done, and I wish like hell it never had to happen.'"

"There are people that are willing to help you," Hamilton added. "There are people that care. This whole concert was born out of love and the pain of loss. We are a community of people pulling together out of our love for each other, who are trying to help other people from having to experience the pain that we did." {in}

Best Green Business Best New Business health & wellness

Best Gym

Best Personal Trainer

SECOND ANNUAL ELIJAH STEPHERSON MEN’S HEALTH CONCERT

Best Boutique Fitness Studio

WHEN: Noon-9 p.m., Sunday, April 30

Best Yoga

The importance of The Campfire Fund is multi-faceted. Hosting events like these allows the organization to bring men's mental health issues to the forefront of people's minds via public platform. It also allows them to open a conversation about how mental health issues have impacted the community, whether it be through volunteer staff or the public.

Best Yoga Instructor

WHERE: Emerald Republic Brewing, 1414 W. Government St..

DETAILS: thecampfirefund.org

Best Pilates

Best Residential Real Estate Agency

Best Commercial Real Estate Agency

Best Real Estate Agent

Best Boutique Hotel/Inn

Best Hotel–Pensacola Beach

Best Hotel–Pensacola

Complex

Best Free/Community Fitness Classes

Best Fitness Classes

Best Fitness Instructor

Best Bootcamp

Best Weight Loss Program

Best Running Club

Best Place to Walk/Run

Best 5K

Best Place to Ride Your Bike

Best General Care Physician

Best Hospital

Best Chiropractor

Best Dentist

Best Orthodontist

Best Pediatrician

Best Psychiatrist/Therapist

Best OB/GYN

Best Optometrist

Best Dermatologist

Plastic Surgeon