Ray of Sunshine Foundation highlighted at Clay County High School; organizers say they have awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships

Talora Schlosser, co-founder of the Ray of Sunshine Foundation and mother of Taylor Rae Nolan, and Don Nolan, Taylor’s father, appeared at Clay County High School on Feb. 3 during a PRTC TV doubleheader to promote the nonprofit’s outreach work and scholarship program, Schlosser said.

The foundation, created after the family’s loss, focuses on “positivity and kindness,” reducing the stigma around mental health and increasing access to resources, Schlosser said. “Your story is important,” she told the game-day audience and later described the group’s fundraising and outreach work.

Why it matters: organizers said the foundation uses local events and school visits to raise awareness about suicide prevention and to fund scholarships for students entering mental-health professions. Schlosser said the group has awarded “over $60,000” in scholarships to date and that proceeds from sales of shirts and other items support those awards.

At the Clay County event, Schlosser described three principal aspects of the foundation’s work: promoting positive acts of kindness (including so-called “smile clubs”), using branded apparel and bracelets to reduce stigma and raising money for scholarships to support future mental-health professionals. She said the bracelets distributed to students carry the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number on the inside as an immediate resource: “On the inside of all of our bracelets, it has the 988 number,” Schlosser said.

Don Nolan, identified in the broadcast as Taylor’s father, spoke briefly about what the community response has meant to the family: “It’s just heart breaking. It’s overwhelming,” he said, describing support from area residents. Schlosser said the foundation was established after Taylor’s death in January 2019 and that the family’s public talks and school visits are intended to encourage students and community members to seek help early.

Schlosser described the foundation’s public speaking work and fundraising: she said the group has given scholarships, travels to speak to schools and community groups, and sells clothing and memorabilia to raise funds. She said the organization maintains a website and social accounts (she referenced rayofsunshineky.org and related pages) and that donations to the nonprofit are used for scholarships and outreach.

The Ray of Sunshine Foundation’s representatives also said they distribute printed resources and bracelets at school events. Schlosser encouraged anyone who needs immediate help to use the national 988 lifeline printed on the bracelets.

The Clay County event combined the foundation’s outreach with a high-school basketball doubleheader. Organizers said they plan to continue school visits, speaking engagements and fundraising to support scholarships and local mental-health awareness efforts.

A website address and the 988 lifeline were provided on-air as immediate resources for listeners and students.