Palmetto Publishing & Half a Sorrow Foundation Teach Kids It’s Okay to Feel Sad is an important story about a new book, children and nice shoes!
Dennis Gillan is the Executive Director of Half a Sorrow Foundation, his mission was clear: to help people who were struggling, to promote open conversations, and to save lives. But little did he know, a simple encounter with a stranger would lead to a collaboration that would not only change his life but also create ripples of hope for countless others.
Stephen Pihl, a graduate of the University of Delaware, was speaking with Dennis at a suicide prevention talk. After the talk, Dennis reached out to Stephen as he was moved by his story. After many conversations, they both decided on a children’s book that would help children understand and talk about feelings, grief, and loss in a way that was accessible and supportive to everyone. Together, they wrote Nice Shoes, a beautifully illustrated book about mental health, healing, and connection. It was a tool to foster conversation, a way to teach kids that it’s okay to feel sad, and that reaching out for help is the bravest thing they can do.
Palmetto Publishing & Half a Sorrow Foundation Teach Kids It’s Okay to Feel Sad
When Palmetto Publishing learned about Dennis and Stephen’s collaboration, they wanted to do something special to highlight the impact of their work. They invited the two authors to their office for an interview, to share their story with a broader audience. But Palmetto wanted to do more than just tell their story—they wanted to give back to the Half a Sorrow Foundation in a meaningful way.
The owners of Palmetto Publishing had a unique connection: they had published the memoir of the founder of Vans Shoes, the iconic brand known for its vibrant footwear. Inspired by the message of Nice Shoes and the mission of Half a Sorrow Foundation, the owners made a bold call to Vans, asking if they would consider donating shoes to Dennis’ nonprofit. Vans agreed, and soon, Palmetto’s office was filled with over 100 pairs of Vans shoes ready to be donated to the foundation.
When Dennis and Stephen arrived at the Palmetto office, they were overwhelmed by what they saw. The room was filled with brightly colored shoes—an unexpected but deeply meaningful gift. Along with the shoes, Palmetto also donated hundreds of copies of Nice Shoes to support the nonprofit’s work in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. The generous donation aligned perfectly with Half a Sorrow Foundation’s mission: to improve mental health for individuals and organizations by promoting real conversations and providing resources that can make a tangible difference.
The impact of this donation was profound. For Dennis, it wasn’t just about the shoes or the books. It was about the message they sent to the people they served: that they mattered, that their pain was real, and that they didn’t have to face it alone. The donation represented hope, connection, and the power of community.
The partnership between Palmetto Publishing, Half a Sorrow Foundation, Vans, Dennis, and Stephen created a ripple effect that went far beyond what any of them could have anticipated. It sparked conversations about mental health, provided children with the tools to understand their feelings, and showed the world the difference that kindness and generosity can make.
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Palmetto Publishing & Half a Sorrow Foundation Teach Kids It’s Okay to Feel Sad was first posted at 501c3.Buzz
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Website: https://halfasorrow.org/
