12:45: Program begins with Welcome by Kim Lange, mother of Travis
Proclamation and presentation by Mayor Najwa Massad
Sponsors:
Staci Murphy, America Reality
Thunder Bar and Restaurant - Good Thunder
Culligan of Mankato
City of Mankato, Neighborhood Engagement Grant
Minnesota Department of Health - Narcan Direct
CARIBOU COFFEE - MADISON AVE
1580 Madison Avenue
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone Number: (507) 769-0888
Donating brewed coffee (2 kinds) for the event, and will be available for set up volunteers, in the morning
THANK YOU CARIBOU COFFEE - MANKATO
KYLIE KOMARIDIS - donating ice
MEDIA COVERAGE
KATO LIVE AT NOON - KEYC TV
NEWS REPORTER INTERVIEW - KEYC TV
REAGAN OUTDOOR ADVERTISING-ROCHESTER
Digital Billboard on Madison Avenue
James Starling, Lifelong friend of Travis Gustavson
Patti Ahl, Mother of Alex Ahl, forever 21,
Kevin Mettler, Minnesota District 5, Drug Court Coordinator, and Mankato City Council Ward 3
Nicole Neudecker, Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force
Rafael Mattei, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge
Gretchen Janovsky, RAAN of Mankato,
Kylie Kamaridis, a new opportunity
Join us on the 23rd and you may win a 1st aid Kit, with Narcan. Winners will be posted after the speakers. Winner must be present to win.
Carry Narcan, it saves lives …..
Silent Auction Fundraiser for the
Travis James Gustavson Foundation
ITEMS DONATED:
Sunflowers are the symbol of the human spirit and the triumph of light over darkness
Created and donated by Karen Wright, Mankato
Created and donated by Chey’s Ceramics
Mankato Moon Dogs and Mankato Habaneros have donated 4 tickets each, for a Moon Dog and a Habaneros game their 2027 Season
Linda Tietz of ‘Linda Decor and More’ Vernon Center, Minnesota
Gift Basket
Gift Cards from various businesses
MORE TO COME….
We welcome the following Resource Organizations who will be joining us at the event…
Open Door Health Center, Mankato, MN
Progress Valley, Bloomington, MN
RAAN, Mankato, MN
MAPS, Mankato, MN
Recovery in Motion, Fairmont, MN
Fountain Center, Albert Lea, MN
MN Adult & Teen Challenge, Wellcome Manor
Advanced Psychological Services LLC, Mankato, MN
Recovery Telecare LLC, Minnesota
Minnesota DEA, Minneapolis, MN
Fentanyl Free Communities, Minneapolis, MN
Southern Minnesota EMS
Thank you to the many volunteers who show up every year to help us make this event a success! you are appreciated and loved
Family Movie Night Gift Basket
When the City of Mankato opened up the Opioid Remediation Community Grant Application to local foundations and non-profits, the Travis James Gustavson Foundation, knew that we would apply, and we knew exactly what we wanted to ask for. We wanted two billboards in Mankato, for one year. When we were notified that we would get the money to put up the billboards, the first feeling was gratitude to Mankato for their support. And that support is ongoing. We were able to apply for another grant, and we were able to keep the pictured billboard up for another year. When we have our Awareness Booth at events, kids will stop to talk to us about what they are learning at school about fentanyl and substance misuse, and many mention the billboard, and the pencil tip that shows the tiny bit of fentanyl that can kill someone. We are seeing some of what we were hoping to see. Awareness and Education is the first step to prevention. Ignorance and stigma stop people from seeking help and keeps the deaths happening.
Thank you to everyone in Mankato that has supported us and show up to validate that support! When you come to the August 23rd event at Erlandson Park in Mankato, they’ll be there, be sure to thank them.
The Travis James Gustavson Foundation is proud to work together with all our partners in Mankato and surrounding communities.
Look at these faces…. their future was stolen from them. This is why we do what we do; Spreading Awareness, Sharing Information, Breaking Down Stigma and working towards our end goal, PREVENTION
WHERE YOU CAN FIND US IN 2026
PRIDE FESTIVAL September Old Town, Mankato, MN
Walk for Recovery
Blue Earth County Fair at the fairgrounds in Garden City, MN July 23rd - 26 for information and NARCAN. Have the kids spin the wheel to answer a fun trivia question and get a treat!
Day of the Dead
October 31st, 2026
Our Sponsors and Partners
Mankato Public Safety
Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force
Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office
DEA
Walmart American Way Realty Staci Murphy
Pizza Ranch Culligan, Mankato
This Billboard is located in Mankato, Mn on Madison Avenue & Fourth Street
When the City of Mankato opened up the Opioid Remediation Community Grant Application to local foundations and non-profits, the Travis James Gustavson Foundation, knew that we would apply, and we knew exactly what we wanted to ask for. We wanted two billboards in Mankato, for one year. When we were notified that we would get the money to put up the billboards, the first feeling was gratitude to Mankato for their support. And that support is ongoing. We were able to apply for another grant, and we were able to keep the pictured billboard up for another year. When we have our Awareness Booth at events, kids will stop to talk to us about what they are learning at school about fentanyl and substance misuse, and many mention the billboard, and the pencil tip that shows the tiny bit of fentanyl that can kill someone. We are seeing some of what we were hoping to see. Awareness and Education is the first step to prevention. Ignorance and stigma stop people from seeking help and keeps the deaths happening.
Thank you to everyone in Mankato that has supported us and show up to validate that support! When you come to the August 23rd event at Erlandson Park in Mankato, they’ll be there, be sure to thank them.
The Travis James Gustavson Foundation is proud to work together with all our partners in Mankato and surrounding communities.
