MARFA –– The Big Bend Sentinel is publishing a series of articles on mental and behavioral health starting with next week’s issue, which will provide an overview of the resources –– or lack thereof –– for those seeking help. The series is funded by a grant from the Presidio County Community Fund started by Hilary and David Beebe to help address a variety of challenges facing the tri-county area.

To highlight the series, the Presidio County Community Fund, The Sentinel and the Marfa Municipal Alliance are sponsoring an event tonight, Thursday, March 21, at 6 p.m. to benefit the Sims Foundation, a nonprofit in Austin that seeks to “destigmatize and reduce mental health and substance abuse issues” for the music community. The benefit will feature bands Primo and Beebe and the Grand Tourists as a tribute to Greg Enlow.

Next week’s article also includes a remembrance of one of the events that drove the Beebes to first concentrate on mental health –– the 2019 death of Enlow, a musician whom the Beebes had come to know through David playing in bands together with him.  

“Greg’s death happened in 2019, the same year that David and I got married, and in the aftermath of his loss, we wanted to do something to serve the area, so we established the community fund,” Hilary said.

The Beebes used their own money to kickstart the fund, which takes tax-deductible donations through the Community Foundation of Texas, and also held fundraisers to build it. “Public education seemed like a way to put these dollars to work in the community and really shed light on the issue as well as point people to the resources that they need, and so I thought this reporting series could make a real impact. I think that there are resources out there for rural Texans who are struggling and for friends and family, but nobody necessarily knows where to go.”

Hilary said the future of the fund is open right now, meaning that the Beebes will continue to explore projects that can benefit the area. “One of the things I like about this community fund is that it offers the flexibility to look at what issues we can have a significant impact on and pivot to work in those areas,” she said.

Tax-deductible contributions to the Presidio County Community Fund can be made online HERE or by check mailed to: Communities Foundation of Texas (in the memo write Presidio Co Community Fund No. F-01410), 5500 Caruth Haven Lane, Dallas, TX 75225.  Donations to the SIMS Foundation can be made at the event or online at www.simsfoundation.org/donate.