12/12/2024
Spread the love

By Charlotte Smith 

Southeastern Carolina Crossroads in Bladen County and other substance misuse rehabilitation centers receive assistance from the Bryan Scott Lassman Sunshine Fund, a 501C charity. The Director of the Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force, Dr. Cathy Gantz, formed a relationship with the charity’s founders, leading to multiple sponsorships at the local rehabilitation facility.  

In November, the local task force hosted a community meeting at Bladen Community College. Dr. Gantz introduced guest speaker Mr. Steve Lassman and his wife, Lauren. Mr. and Mrs. Lassman founded the Bryan Scott Lassman Sunshine Fund charity in memory of their son.

Dr. Gantz stated, “Mr. and Ms. Lassman moved to Wallace, NC in 2020 and have been looking for opportunities to assist people with addiction issues through financial support from their charity. They are interested in working with the Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force… We are pleased that they would like to share their story of personal loss.”

During the task force meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Lassman recounted their son’s battle with addiction. Bryan Scott Lassman, their son, had turned his weakness with addiction into a strength by becoming a counselor and staying sober for over five years. Bryan was an advocate for helping people fight addiction issues. He was the lead counselor at Alternatives Counseling in Southampton, NY. He worked with anyone fighting addiction, but mostly with young adults, and he had a passion for working with young mothers.  

After a vacation abroad led Bryan off his “routine,” and out of his prescription medication, he died due to a heroin overdose.

Mrs. Lassman said she attributed his relapse and death to Bryan being off his daily routine. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lassman wanted to continue Bryan’s work to honor his memory. In 2018, the Lassman family started the Bryan Scott Lassman Sunshine Fund. The charity offers scholarships to high school students, financial assistance for treatment to help people struggling with addiction, and funding assistance and supplies to help any nonprofit rehabilitation facility in need.  

“It makes my pain a little bit less because it helps me keep my son’s memory going and his work keeps going. My wife feels the same way,” Mr. Lassman said about the charity. 

Mr. Lassman commented about being the guest speaker at the task force meeting, “I hope it leads to even stronger relationships for charity and our ability to help people that otherwise wouldn’t be able to because of the finances.” 

Since Mr. and Mrs. Lassman spoke at the task force meeting, the Scott Lassman Sunshine Fund paid four (4) sponsorships for men applying for recovery assistance at Southeastern Carolina Crossroads (SECC). 

SECC is a faith-based rehabilitation center in Bladen County. Kincy Barrow with the center said, “There are so many who simply have no money left for recovery. It is such a blessing to have someone step forward and pay the entry fee.” 

The entry fee for (SECC) is $750 for “the 90-day residential program designed solely for men caught in the bondage of substance and/or alcohol abuse.”

Mr. Lassman said it would not be the last time his charity assists SECC. The Bryan Scott Lassman Sunshine Fund held a Super Bowl Fundraiser where the winner donated her prize money back to the charity. She said, “You can keep my winnings and help someone else.”

Mr. Lassman said, “The charity is like you are paying it forward.” Supporters of the charity recognize the benefits of Bryan’s work and continue to donate to the cause. 

“We are so blessed to have so many generous and beautiful people help us in our mission,” Mr. Lassman said with gratitude. 

More fundraisers are in the planning stages. Find more information about the Bryan Scott Lassman Sunshine Fund at bslsf.org

Please find out more about SECC on their website: https://secarolinacrossroads.com/

 

staff report
Author: staff report

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