Community members, mental health organizations and supporters gathered at Richland Carrousel Park to share resources and raise funds for the nonprofit organization 33 Forever through its fifth annual 5K walk.
For attendees, the day was more than a fundraiser — it was deeply personal. Representatives from more than a dozen mental health organizations were on hand to share resources, connect with families and offer real pathways to support.
Six years ago, the family and friends of Danielle “Dani” Leedy faced the unimaginable. Dani, a vibrant young woman with a passion for mental health advocacy, died by suicide in February 2019 after a long battle with depression.
They founded 33 Forever Inc., a nonprofit organization created to honor Dani’s life and champion the causes she held dear.
In addition to building connections between providers and the public, the annual event serves as a major fundraiser for 33 Forever’s key initiative: Dani’s Place, a new residential rehabilitation facility for individuals recovering from mental health crises.
Dani’s Place, currently under construction in Toledo, is a 16-bed, 18,000-square-foot facility set to open this fall. Once completed, it will offer short-term residential care for patients transitioning out of hospitals.
The facility aims to bridge a critical gap in Ohio’s mental health system by providing a structured environment for stabilization and recovery before individuals return to daily life — an opportunity more commonly available to patients needing treatment for physical injuries or addiction.
“In our very first board meeting shortly after Dani passed, Dani’s mom Donna said to us that someday, somehow, somewhere, she wanted to see a mental health rehabilitation center established,” Jeff Heck, 33 Forever co-founder and Dani’s stepfather, said.
“If you have a broken leg, or a shoulder operation, you still have to go through rehab. That’s what this facility will do. When someone leaves the hospital, this is a place they can go.”
Through awareness campaigns, community partnerships, youth scholarships and initiatives like the soon-to-open Dani’s Place, 33 Forever has grown into a statewide force for mental health advocacy.
Dani’s Place will be only the second facility of its kind in Ohio, modeled after a similar center in Athens. The goal is not just to provide critical services for those in recovery, but to serve as a blueprint for similar rehabilitation facilities across the state and nation.
In addition to raising funds and awareness, 33 Forever celebrates the next generation of changemakers. Each year, high school students are recognized as recipients of the 33 Forever Scholarship in Honor of Danielle Leedy.
This year’s event raised nearly $41,000 to support the continued development of Dani’s Place.
As construction nears completion, supporters are finding ways to make their impact tangible. Through the “Buy a Brick” campaign, donors can contribute to the facility’s construction and have a personalized brick laid along its entrance — a symbolic and physical path of hope, healing and remembrance.
For those who wish to contribute, sponsor a brick or learn more about 33 Forever’s mission and programs, visit https://33forever.life/. Please note that 33 Forever, Inc. should not be treated as a substitute for mental or psychological advice, care, or treatment.
For immediate help, here are some hotlines you can try: National Suicide Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8, Text: MHA to 741741 from anywhere in the US.
Call 211 for local resources like food, utility assistance, and more. Richland County has walk-in services located at 36 West Third Street Mansfield, OH 44902 available from: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday.