Following Death of Founder, Kate Spade Donates Over $1 Million To Mental Health Foundations
Many are still feeling the weight of Kate Spade’s death.
The 55-year-old fashion designer was found dead by a housekeeper in her New York City apartment on June 5, 2018. Police later confirmed she died by suicide.
While Kate Spade New York was no longer owned by the fashion icon, the namesake brand never forgot about their “visionary founder.”
As soon as they heard of Spade’s passing, they posted this uncharacteristically dark post on their Instagram feed. “We honor all the beauty she brought into this world,” the post read.
Now, two weeks after her death, the company has announced that they plan to donate over $1 million to various mental health organizations to help bring attention to mental health after its founder’s unfortunate death.
Anna Bakst, the CEO of Kate Spade New York, released a statement that said, “Kate Spade was a true fashion icon who brought joy to the lives of women around the world, and inspired women to live life to the fullest. We are dedicated to carrying on her legacy.”
The first foundation that Kate Spade New York has decided to work with is the Crisis Text Line. Kate Spade New York has already donated $250,000 dollars of their proposed $1 million but has promised to match up to $100,000 of the donations made to the organization between June 20 and June 29, 2018.
The Crisis Text Line trains volunteers to text with people going through a crisis. They are trained to “bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem solving.”
Crisis Text Line’s website states that a small donation of $19 supports one “texter” through a crisis.
“We’re honored to be working with the Kate Spade New York Foundation to support texters who are in crisis, in memory of Kate Spade,” the website read. “Together, we’ll save lives by supporting people with free, 24/7, confidential crisis counseling, all via text.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, almost $34,000 of the goal had been reached.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of the fashion icon’s death, please go to crisistextline.org/katespadeny.
Spade’s death has impacted thousands and is hopefully bringing light to the inconspicuous manner of mental health struggles. Our prayers continue to go out to the family and friends as they grieve.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.
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