The MIKE Endowment
This project was created in memory of Mike Ziler – brother of local business and community leader, Joe Ziler. Mike took his life, leaving behind his daughter, Kara Jo, family and friends. It is often believed by victims of suicide that the people closest to them will be “better off” without them. In fact, the crushing and emotional impact on those left behind lingers and in many cases, never goes away. The cycle must be broken and any remaining stigmas must be dispelled so that those who struggle with mental illness and thoughts of suicide know there is help available.
The goal of the MIKE Endowment is to bring awareness to mental illness and provide funding to organizations and programs in our local community that support education and help for mental health.
If you have a program, project, event or other funding need that aligns with our goals and mission, we invite you to learn more about The MIKE Endowment Community Impact Fund criteria and complete the funding request form.
Mount Dora Community Trust Partnership
We finalized our partnership with the Mount Dora Community Trust so we could create the MIKE Endowment and create an ongoing funding source to provide mental health support and help prevent suicides. This video, produced by Red Apples Media, gives you a little more insight into how we’re going to change the way people think and react to mental health… and it begins with KINDNESS.
I invite you to support our efforts by donating through this link: Mount Dora Community Trust Donation Page.