The 2025 Leadership Steamboat class is gearing up for Shred the Stigma, an event designed to raise funds for a new mural promoting mental health awareness in Steamboat Springs. The event, described as the “ultimate après ski party,” will take place on April 11 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Commons Food Hall, located at 56 7th St.
Olympia von Berg, a member of this year’s Leadership Steamboat class, is excited about the event. “It’s going to be a great time,” she said. “We’re going to have a costume contest, a prize drawing, and of course, all the funds raised will go towards this important cause.”
The Shred the Stigma event will feature food, drinks, a live DJ starting at 6 p.m., and a fun costume party, all in support of the mural project. The mural’s purpose is to raise awareness about mental health and will be placed in a downtown location, though the exact site is yet to be announced.
The mural project stems from a collaboration with local mental health organization Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide (REPS). Mindy Marriott, the executive director of REPS, shared how the idea came about. “They approached me and said they were passionate about our mission,” Marriott said. “I suggested the idea of a mural, and we started discussing ways to incorporate themes of hope into the design.”
The Leadership Steamboat class, sponsored by the Steamboat Springs Chamber, tackles a community project each year, and this year’s group includes Corey Adams, Bailey Baker, Frances D’Arcy, Katie Grosso, Jenny Knickerbocker, Iva Lopes, Mackenzie Mackel, Kenzie Meadows, Charlotte Mungovan, Kathy Patchel, Emma Rattenborg, Laura Scoggins, von Berg, and Lucy Winslow.
“We’ve already raised a good amount of money, and we’re hoping this event, especially the prize drawing, will bring even more support to help us complete this project,” von Berg said.
Several local sponsors are backing the initiative, including the Commons Food Hall, which will donate a portion of the sales from the event to the cause. In addition, the event will feature a prize drawing, with great prizes available for attendees.
“The class chooses a project each year that benefits the community,” von Berg explained. “In the fall, we have nonprofits come in and tell us about their work and the challenges they face. REPS really spoke to us with what they shared, and we all agreed that mental health would be our theme this year.”
Proceeds from Shred the Stigma will go toward funding the mural, which will serve as a lasting tribute to the importance of mental health awareness in the Steamboat Springs community.
