"As a former user of mixing Xanax and alcohol,
I will never do it again after seeing this film."
- 2017 Winchester, MA High School Student
To Our Valued Donors and Supporters,
I begin this newsletter with a powerful quote gathered from a student six years ago following the debut of "If They Had Known," pretty powerful, huh? Our documentary program changed this student's approach to prescription drugs. This is our goal.
Fall is upon us, which means high schools and college campuses nationwide will soon be bustling with students excited to reconnect after a long summer break. They will gather on weekdays and weekends and host parties as teens do. Partying in high school and college is nothing new, but the risks and consequences of how teens party have changed. As your teen heads into the school year, please encourage them and their peers to take 35 minutes and watch our documentary, “If They Had Known.” Available for rent on Amazon and Google Play, it’s easier than ever to help equip our kids with the knowledge that misusing prescription drugs can result in death.
It’s been eight years since we founded the Clay Soper Memorial Fund, but our mission and focus remain strong. We continue to work to reach every high school and college-age teen across the country with our film and help motivate cultural change within party culture.
With the proper knowledge, Clay’s death could have been avoided. Encourage every teen you know to watch “If They Had Known” — it could save their life or the life of a friend. Together, we can help prevent tragedies like Clay’s and make prescription drug misuse and abuse a thing of the past.
I thank you for your past and continued support, and I look forward to staying connected. With much love and gratitude,
"If They Had Known" is a powerful documentary program that addresses the urgent issue of teen prescription drug misuse, self-medication, and the alarming rise in deadly fentanyl-laced pill overdoses among young people. The documentary, combined with the program toolkit, offers a unique opportunity to teach educators and students about the risks and consequences associated with the recreational abuse of prescription drugs and empowers students to make informed, potentially life-saving choices.
Thanks to the $25,000 Foundation for Seacoast Health Angel Grant, the Clay Soper Memorial Fund is offering the documentary program free of charge to schools and organizations in southern Maine and New Hampshire. This initiative allows us to reach a broader audience and provide a life-saving resource to teenagers and families in the Seacoast area.
Maine: Kittery, Eliot, and York
New Hampshire: Greenland, New Castle, Newington, North Hampton, Portsmouth, and Rye
Over the past nine months, we've researched and developed the program materials, including databases of schools, community organizations, and recovery centers in the target area. We've also created marketing and educational tools to promote and facilitate the program effectively. This outreach has allowed us to build awareness and generate interest in the documentary program "If They Had Known." We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for Seacoast Health for their generous support, which has allowed us to bring this educational program to their service areas for free.
Clay Soper Memorial Weekend Championship
Hosted by WVBBTS & CSMF
March 17, 2024
Waterville Valley, NH
Calling all ski enthusiasts and Saint Patrick's Day revelers! Join us in honoring the memory of Clay Soper and celebrating the 8th Annual Clay Soper Memorial Weekend Championship. This annual event highlights the dedication and commitment of weekend racers who give their all to the sport despite their limited training time. Clay Soper was a passionate skier who started racing at a young age and continued to compete throughout high school. As a weekend racer, he knew the challenges of balancing ski training with other commitments. His determination and love for the sport made him an inspiration to many.
The Memorial Weekend Championship is a unique gathering bridging the gap between weekend and academy racers. Skiers from different backgrounds, including collegiate athletes, full-time academy athletes, and weekend racers, come together to compete, have fun, and share their common love for skiing.
This event is not just about the competition but about the spirit of camaraderie and passion for the sport. Participants can expect thrilling races, excellent swag, and reconnecting with their ski friends. Every skier deserves recognition for their efforts, regardless of their training time. The winners will be recognized, but the event's highlight is the Weekend Champion award, given to the top male and female weekend racer.
We're so grateful for your support of our mission and continued efforts to keep Clay's memory alive.
Through our annual events, the Clay Soper Memorial Fund honors Clay's enthusiasm for adventure, his trust in people, the power he found in kindness, and his passion for skiing. Please help support our mission by participating in a fundraising event this year and let us know when you #HaveAClayDay @claysopermemorialfund
The Clay Soper Memorial Fund relies on donations, sponsorships, and grants to continue our mission.
Donate. Every contribution, big or small, helps us sustain our mission. Please visit our website to donate today.
Corporate Matching Gifts Program. Did you know that many employers offer matching gift programs? If your company participates, you can double the impact of your donation to the Clay Soper Memorial Fund. Simply request and fill out the matching gift form from your employer and send it to Genny Soper. We will take care of the rest!
Spread the Word. Share our mission and the impact our documentary program is making with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can make an even more significant impact.
Volunteer. We always need dedicated volunteers to assist with fundraising events and activities. Please get in touch with us if you have a skill or talent you would like to contribute.
Thank You. Together, we're making a difference.
Our Mission is to educate, engage, and empower today's teens with life-saving information about the risks of misusing and abusing prescription drugs and to help motivate cultural change among young people. The Clay Soper Memorial Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. "If They Had Known" is a Clay Soper Memorial Fund program.
Comments