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Naples, FL – David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive not-for-profit mental health and substance use treatment facility serving children, adults and families, is pleased to announce that community activists Pat and Bill Barton have been enlisted as honorary co-chairs to help them brighten the lives of those in need through their new event the Live Life in Color! Gala set for January 23, 2016 at 5:30 pm at The Naples Botanical Garden.

Together with event co-chairs honorary board member Polly Keller, who is a 47-year veteran Center and Foundation volunteer, and current board member and Development Chair William O’Neill and his wife Kathy, this dynamic and dedicated team is bringing a new format that will be an imaginative experience of colorful expression like no other.

This year, rather than transport guests to a faraway land as their destination-themed signature event has done for the last nine years, they turn our attention to life, lived right here, in paradise. White sands, blue skies, golden sunsets, lush greenery, colors explode all around us and entangle us in a web of vibrant beauty. Despite this beauty, far too many people in our community spend their days wandering in a hazy fog, their vision clouded by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and addiction. With help from the David Lawrence Centers, these men, women and children are learning to wipe away the gray and begin to live life in color.

The Live Life in Color! Gala will feature nationally known performance artist, entertainer and speaker Michael Israel who pairs his renowned paint performance with heart-pounding live music that captivates his audience. This interactive event will leave onlookers feeling exhilarated and fulfilled. His art will be auctioned off after the dinner in support of the David Lawrence Centers . There will also be a silent auction during the evening.

Pat and Bill Barton bring more than 40 years of philanthropy, advocacy and passion to their latest charitable endeavor. They first became involved with the Center in the 1970’s when they became concerned about the growing incidence of adolescent drug use in Collier County and the lack of services available. The couple has since invested their time leading drug prevention and education activities at the local, state and national level among other interests including healthcare, education, at-risk youth, juvenile justice, health and human services, conservation and economic development.

Pat shares, “We’ve seen miracles occur in the redirecting of people’s lives and those of their families and loved ones. While there have been great strides in removing the stigma and mythology related to these diseases, there still remains a lack of public understanding and acceptance that substance use in some cases is a precursor of mental health issues/illness and our work is not done.” She adds, “David Lawrence Centers is one of the best treatment centers in Florida due to their ability to raise funds to supplement the anemic state funding (49th in the US).  This is due to the rigorous work of the David Lawrence Foundation and our founder Polly Keller who we are proud to work alongside in this fundraising effort.”

Corporate sponsors include: Arthrex, Cummings & Lockwood, LLC, Brown & Brown Insurance/Florida Blue, Gulf Coast Construction, Investor’s Security Trust, Naples Illustrated, The Stephens Group – UBS Private Wealth Management and Truly Nolen of America, Inc.

Tickets to the event are $500 per person and $1,200 per VIP patron. For sponsorship opportunities or to reserve a ticket, call 239-304-3505 or visit DavidLawrenceCenter.org.

David Lawrence Centers is the Southwest Florida-based, not-for-profit leading provider of behavioral health solutions dedicated to inspiring and creating life-changing wellness for every individual. The Center provides innovative, comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, residential and community based prevention and treatment services for the one in four local children and adults who experience mental health, emotional, psychological and substance use challenges. David Lawrence Centers has seven locations in Collier County and touches the lives of more than 50,000 people each year. For more information about David Lawrence Centers call (239) 491-7602 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org.