David Lawrence Centers’ Sound Minds fundraiser shines a light on veterans and first responders

Actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise featured as keynote speaker

Actor, humanitarian, and advocate for service members Gary Sinise, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Sound Minds event.

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For many veterans in Collier County, the transition home marks the start of a new set of challenges that are far less visible. Behind the resilience and discipline that define their service, many carry invisible wounds – such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression – that can make everyday life feel overwhelming.

With approximately 26,000 veterans in Collier County, the need for specialized services is significant. In 2024, David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health provided more than 9,000 services to approximately 215 veterans. While many veterans sought counseling or clinical support, DLC’s dedicated, experienced, and compassionate team also connected those in need to vital resources to help them regain stability and independence in their day-to-day lives. The need for these services remains great, underscoring the importance of strong, specialized behavioral health services close to home.

This is why David Lawrence Centers is centering its 2026 Sound Minds event on the needs of veterans and first responders. The annual fundraiser, scheduled for March 19, 2026, will spotlight the realities these individuals face and raise essential support for the behavioral health programs that serve them. Proceeds from the event support DLC’s access for all programs, ensuring community members have access to lifesaving and life-changing behavioral health care, regardless of their ability to pay.

This year’s program features Gary Sinise, an actor, humanitarian, and nationally recognized advocate for those who serve. His commitment to veterans spans more than four decades, shaped by his family’s own military history and deepened through his portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump. Following 9/11, Sinise expanded his efforts by launching the Lt. Dan Band and later establishing the Gary Sinise Foundation to support service members, first responders, and their loved ones.

Sinise’s powerful story and long-standing advocacy make him a natural fit as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Sound Minds event. Members of the DLC Board of Directors and veterans Edward Morton, Robert Magrann, and Garrett Richter are serving as the event’s honorary co-chairs. Their personal experience brings an important perspective to the conversation, further highlighting the need for coordinated, community-wide support.

Many veterans and first responders continue to navigate the long-term impacts of trauma tied to combat exposure or emergency response work. Post-traumatic stress disorders remain a leading concern, but depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders are equally common. Left untreated, these conditions can increase the risk of suicide and social isolation, showcasing the urgent need for specialized support tailored to the unique experience of veterans and first responders.

DLC offers care through a comprehensive network of services, including clinical treatment, coordinated case management, inpatient and outpatient programs, peer support, and specialty medical services.

Sound Minds gives the community a meaningful way to support DLC’s efforts to provide hope for every Collier County resident in need.

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For more information about DLC’s Sound Minds event, visit DLCSoundMinds.org or contact Miriam Pereira, senior advancement officer, at 239.455.8500 ext. 1451 or at miriamp@dlcenters.org.