Ace the Stigma Donates $285,000 for Mental Health Initiatives
The Ace the Stigma (ATS) Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit public charity dedicated to defeating the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide prevention, proudly announces the success of its 2nd Annual Charlotte Memorial Tennis Event, Honoring Chuck Reiney, held June 26–29, 2025 at Olde Providence Racquet Club. The 4-day event was a vibrant blend of competition, community, and conversation, attracting over 500 attendees across multiple events. It featured 164 tennis players, a panel discussion on mental health titled "Relationship Redefined," a Donelan Wine Tasting, a silent auction, and a Mix & Mingle Party with a live auction.
Thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors, in-kind partners, individual donors, and the broader Charlotte community and volunteers, our donations will directly benefit six local mental health organizations: Alexander Youth Network, For Students, Hopeway, Kindermourn, Mental Health America of the Central Carolinas, and Mission 34.
Beneficiary Organizations and Impact
Leaders from each beneficiary organization expressed gratitude for the life-changing support:
Lynn Crutchfield, Alexander Youth Network: “We are so honored by and grateful for the support of Ace the Stigma. Their generosity is allowing us to serve more children and adolescents who are experiencing mental health challenges. The Charlotte community is lucky to have Ace the Stigma raising awareness and making an impact.”
Whitney D’Allaird, For Students: “Ace the Stigma’s generous gift will ensure sustainable growth, enabling FOR Students to scale its impact and provide vital mental health education to a larger student population over the next year... with the goal of reaching and empowering more students.”
Alyson R. Kuroski-Mazzei, Hopeway: “Thanks to Ace the Stigma’s generosity, our Men’s Mental Health Matters Breakfast created a space where men could see and feel they are not alone... We are stronger in community than we will ever be individually.”
Kaela O’Donnell, Kindermourn: “Ace The Stigma’s generous donation allows us to continue offering free and reduced-cost services... and to meet the growing needs of grieving children, teens, and families in our community.”
Ayo M. Johnson, Mental Health America of the Central Carolinas: “Their generous contribution will help us sustain our free counseling center and address adult loneliness and isolation... Together, we’re breaking down stigma and building a community where no one has to face mental health challenges alone.”
Heather Bonner, Mission 34: “Mission 34 is profoundly grateful for the generosity of Ace the Stigma... Their investment will allow us to expand chapters, inspire new partners, and ensure no young person faces their struggles alone.”
CLICK HERE for more photos from this event. Photography by Richard Pockat.
Continuing Chuck Reiney’s Legacy
The Charlotte Memorial Tennis Event, Honoring Chuck Reiney, serves as a tribute to former Olde Providence Racquet Club President and dear friend, Chuck Reiney, whose life was tragically lost to suicide. The event honors his legacy by uniting people through tennis, meaningful dialogue, and collective action, while raising essential funds for suicide prevention and mental health care in Charlotte and beyond.
Gratitude for Community Support
The event’s success was made possible through the extraordinary collaboration of corporate sponsors, in-kind supporters, and countless individual donors and volunteers. Their partnership not only strengthened the event but also directly amplified the community-wide impact of Ace the Stigma and its Mission.
“Ace the Stigma is committed to treating mental health conversations with the same importance as physical health,” said Mike Reiney, ATS President. “This year, thanks to the compassion and generosity of our sponsors and community, we were able to expand our giving across six incredible nonprofit partners who are making measurable differences every day. We take pride in our dedicated ATS team. In less than two years, Ace the Stigma has donated nearly 500K in support of mental health education, suicide prevention, and treatment throughout the Charlotte region.”
Corporate & Individual Sponsors
Thank You To Our Sponsors - This event would not have been possible without the generous support of so many companies, families, and individuals. Together, we made a significant first step towards ending the stigma surrounding mental illness.
