February 12, 2025 (Cover Image Credit: SUFI)
Stand Up for Idaho (SUFI) has announced events for February 12 and 14, 2025.
Wednesday, February 12th, Merrill Page, Bullying and Suicide
In his formative years, Merrill Page was often the target for bullies for being too short, to fat, tall and skinny, ‘different’ looking, and for having speech impediments and dyslexia. He was labeled with a lot of things that was ‘on the outside’ but people failed to look at what or who he was on the inside. As a result, he grew to have a lot of self-doubt and saw little light or potential for the future. He became suicidal and fortunately survived three attempts on his own life. After his last attempt, his father told him, “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” That was a turning point in his life, and he decided he wanted to make a difference in the world.
Merrill studied music therapy in college and discovered how music can help with memory, reducing anxiety and pain, and how it reaches into a heart and mind in ways that words alone don’t. For over 20 years, Merrill has been working with individuals with mental health issues, developmental delays, and discovered that many of them have faced issues with bullying themselves, creating life long scars and many with years of accompanying depression, anxiety and other problems.
Merrill is coming to tell us his story and let us know what he is doing to help prevent others from contemplating and attempting suicide like he once did.
Friday, February 14th – Stand Up For Idaho’s Heart & Soul Valentine’s Day Gala
Stand Up For Idaho’s Heart & Soul Valentine’s Day Gala is a Semi-formal/Formal/Sunday Best, ‘adults only’ event. Enjoy a night of dancing, socializing, and fun! This is a fundraiser for Stand Up For Idaho to enable us to continue and expand our weekly town halls and Constitution Camp for Kids. We will have raffles and auctions of gift baskets, several firearms (including a ‘Trump Fight, Fight, Fight’ AR and a very nice ‘ladies’ AR), fine jewelry, and more! Dinner is not included but there will be appetizers and a cash bar.
Tickets are just $40 per person and can be purchased at the door. Or get advanced tickets now by emailing: events@standupforidaho.org or online at snakerivereventcenter.com. Singles are encouraged to come! It promises to be a great evening of just having fun! Doors open at 7:00 pm and our DJ will start playing music for dancing at 8:00 pm and continue until midnight. Raffles and auctions will be held throughout the night.
The Gala is being supported by over 30 local businesses including: Snake River Event Center, C & L Printing, Mountain West Equipment, Skidmore Construction, Steel Gun & Pawn, Wealth of Health Natural Market, Rich Media (KID Newsradio 106.3), Teton Toyota, Sandhill Media (Newstalk 107.6), Guns N Gear, Ingram’s Fine Jewelers, Club Apple, and many, many more. Please come support us too!
A flyer for the event is attached, feel free to share and invite your family and friends. You won’t be sorry you attended, but you may be sad that you missed out on all the fun. February 14th, 2025, will be a night to remember.
Please contact us at event@standupforidaho.org if you have any questions.
(P.S. Spend the night at the Shilo Inn, we have reserved a block of rooms at a discounted price – $69/King or $89/Double Queen. Just call the Shilo at (208)523-0088 and mention Stand Up For Idaho.)
