Hope over struggle: How The Hope for B.E.S.T. supports students

When the local community bands together with an indomitable spirit and energy, it can move mountains.

The recent Hope for B.E.S.T. Fest is a prime example. Sponsors, business leaders, families and volunteers banded together over a day of carnival games, food trucks, raffles, vendor booths and a DJ. Through their generosity, more than $18,000 was raised to support the grassroots 501(C)(3) charity, which focuses on mental health awareness for students in the Avon schools.

Lori Best Yeager founded the charity, which stands for Be the End to Silent Thoughts, in 2020 following her brother’s sudden death by suicide.

“ I am overwhelmingly grateful to all the people who lent a hand — our continued number one sponsor Mike Cooper of Cooper Disposal, all the volunteers, students, and families,” says Lori. “The funds earned go directly to Avon City Schools, Holy Trinity and Saint Mary to provide what they feel is the most-needed mental health awareness programming and resources.”

This year, they brought in a nationally known speaker, Dr. James Knight, and also created the S.O.A.R through Parenting Seminars that cover prevention of mental health issues.

“Studies show that 50% of all life-time mental illness begins at age 14,” she adds. “Our goal is to prevent that. Having the courage to talk about these issues means struggle can be replaced with hope. We want to break down the stigma of anxiety, suicide, addiction and bullying, which have become so prevalent in our kids today. We believe this takes a village. And that’s why our programs touch on the students, their families, the teachers and counselors.”

The Hope for B.E.S.T. is a 50(C)(3) non-profit organization based in Avon. Visit TheHopeForBEST.com for more information, to donate, or purchase Lori Yeager’s book, “By All Means, Just Say It”, a collection of thought-provoking poetry that speaks to the silence that needs to be heard. Look for the 2026 Hope for the B.E.S.T. Fest to take place the second or third week of September.