Grant Halliburton Foundation hosted its 17th annual Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon on Friday, March 13 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, kicking off the organization’s 20th anniversary year. More than 500 guests gathered in support of the Foundation’s mission, helping to raise $335,000 for youth mental health and suicide prevention programs across North Texas.
The event featured keynote speaker Steve Burns, best known as the original host of Nickelodeon’s “Blue’s Clues,” along with remarks from Foundation leaders and Co-chairs Meredith and David Camp and Amy and Michael Roseman.
Ahead of the program, DJ Lucy Wrubel set an upbeat tone at the Welcome Reception, where attendees enjoyed champagne and sparkling water from a 20th anniversary-themed champagne wall. Over coffee from Another Sunrise Coffee Company, guests connected and recorded messages of hope at the Hope Hotline telephone booth, an installation marking the Foundation’s milestone year.
Another activation featured an oversized “Blue’s Clues”-inspired purple mailbox inviting attendees to take an encouraging letter of hope. Guests also stopped at a 20th anniversary photo wall and browsed raffle packages that included luxury travel, high-end shopping experiences, sporting events and more.
The luncheon opened with the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy Singers performing “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical “Rent.”
Steve Noviello, FOX 4 News host, welcomed guests, followed by an invocation from Cantor Vicky Glikin, senior cantor at Temple Emanu-El. Guests then enjoyed lunch while connecting with fellow supporters.
TheRosemans thanked sponsors, donors, committee members and volunteers, along with Founding Luncheon Chair Barb Farmer.
TheCamps then presented the 2026 Vanita Halliburton Beacon Award to Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, founder of No More Victims and executive director of the Phillips Foundation.
Phillips was recognized for her advocacy for survivors of sexual abuse and for leading the passage of Trey’s Law in Texas and Missouri, which prohibits the misuse of nondisclosure agreements against survivors, in memory of her late brother, Trey Carlock, who died by suicide.
“We refuse to let the end of their story be the whole story,” Carlock Phillips said. “We invite joy and sorrow to coexist. Keep fighting for the unseen and the hurting.”
Following a mission video, Foundation President Kevin Hall reflected on the organization’s 20 years of impact.
“As the video showed, the story of Grant Halliburton Foundation is the story of a community that has shown up over the past 20 years to make sure young people know they are not alone,” Hall said. “The Foundation has reached more than 375,000 students, educators, parents and professionals with life-saving mental health and suicide prevention training because of you.”
Amy McCloskey, co-founder of the Foundation and Grant Halliburton’s sister, spoke about the organization’s ongoing work.
“Because of this community, there are young people who are alive and well today who might not have been otherwise,” McCloskey said. “Continue this legacy with us by bringing help, hope and peace of mind to young people and their families.”
David shared how he and his wife became involved after five friends lost children within five years and encouraged attendees to connect with young people in their lives.
“I realized it only takes five minutes to start a conversation that could change the trajectory of a struggling youth’s future,” he said.
David and Michael led the paddle raise, joined on stage by Amy Roseman and Meredith.
Burns delivered a personal message about his experience with depression during his talk, “The Cost of Showing Up Happy: Burnout and the Wisdom of Asking for Help.”
He now shares his story as a speaker, podcast host, musician and actor, continuing conversations about mental health with audiences of all ages.
“What made the show work was the idea that I needed [help from] the home viewer,” Burns said. “‘Will you help me?’ I would ask [on the show]. It’s OK to ask for help. Make asking for help seem ordinary.”
Burns said that while he appeared joyful to millions of “Blue’s Clues” viewers, he was living with undiagnosed depression.
Burns’ experience reflects the challenges many young people face, a focus of the Foundation’s work as it marks its 20th anniversary year and continues expanding youth mental health education and resources across North Texas.
That focus was echoed earlier in the program.
“Because the future we are working toward is one where young people feel safe asking for help, where parents know what to look for and where to turn, and where suicide prevention is proactive, not reactive,” Hall said.
About Grant Halliburton Foundation: Celebrating 20 years of hope and impact, Grant Halliburton Foundation was founded in 2006 in memory of Grant Halliburton, a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder before his suicide death at age 19. Over the past two decades, the Foundation has provided mental health education, resources, and support to more than 375,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals. The Foundation also offers help through HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community resources provide North Texans with easy access to trusted information and support for mental health and substance use. Learn more at GrantHalliburton.org.
Photos: Simon Luna Studios