Dear Friends and Partners:
The Keister family founded atTAcK addiction in February 2013 to raise awareness and erase the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. It has taken persistence, dedication and time, but all of us working together have reduced the number of overdose deaths in Delaware over the past three years by more than 41%.
Still, we know that far too many loved ones continue to die from overdose, and the number of people seeking treatment and recovery services remains incredibly high. While we have made great strides, there is still much more work to be done.
To shine a light on the progress Delaware has made, we are thrilled to host our 11th annual Be A Hero Gala, where we honor significant contributors, recognize community accomplishments, and raise awareness about substance use disorders.
With your ongoing support, atTAcK addiction can continue to be the starting point for help and hope. Our track record of direct support for our community is strong, including championing such important legislation as the 911/Good Samaritan Law, access to naloxone and the Opioid Impact Fee Fund; connecting thousands to prevention, treatment and recovery services and resources in all three counties; opening a Resource Center in Peoples Plaza; providing Recovery Housing Scholarships to those early in their recovery; offering free one-on-one coaching to family members impacted by a loved one's substance use; creating a post-secondary scholarship program for those in recovery and planning careers in behavioral health; providing in-person grief support and virtual family support; and hosting or attending dozens of outreach events in all three counties. Community is about being there for individuals and families who need us.
Your sponsorship of the Be a Hero Gala will help us continue to drive change in our community and save lives. We hope you will join us for this impactful event and continue to be a hero in our fight against substance use disorder.
Sincerely,
Dawn Hess-Fischer
President and Founding Board Member
Sponsorships
Platinum $4,000
- Co-Sponsor for event and name on primary communications for event
- Name will appear in event program
- Sponsor recognition on website and social media
- Present award of your choice
- Recognition on the sponsor wall
- Two Tables for the dinner event – 20 seats
- A special gift from atTAcK addiction
Your Platinum sponsorship will:
...provide funding for the resource center to bring multiple recovery
resources to the community.
Or
...provide naloxone training including distribution of free Narcan kits
under Delaware’s Community-based Naloxone Access Program.
Gold $2,500
-
Co-Sponsor one award for the evening
-
Name will appear in event program
-
Sponsor recognition on website and social media
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Recognition on the sponsor wall
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15 table seats for the dinner event
-
A special gift from atTAcK addiction
Your Gold Sponsorship will...
...assist with sending several people in recovery to college for a 2 nd chance with an atTAcK addiction scholarship.
Or
...provide naloxone training including distribution of free Narcan kits under Delaware’s Community-based Naloxone Access Program.
Silver $1000
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Sponsor Recognition on the website and social media
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Name will appear scrolling during social hour
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Name will appear in Event Program
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10 seats for the dinner event
Your Silver Sponsorship will...
...assist with providing presents (toys and clothes) for the holidays for recovery families to make it a special holiday season.
Or
...provide funding for education in the schools to increase awareness across Delaware.
Be a Hero $350
-
Sponsor Recognition on website and social media
-
Name will appear in Event Program
-
3 seats for the dinner event
Your “be a hero” sponsorship will...
...provide food donations for those in recovery and create blessing bags for those re-entering the community.
Or
...provide Naloxone training including distribution of free Narcan kits under Delaware’s Community-based Naloxone Access Program.
2026 Medal of Honor Recipient
Joanna Champney, Director of the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)
Joanna Champney, Director of the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and
Mental Health (DSAMH), will receive the Medal of Honor – atTAcK addiction’s highest honor – at the organization’s 11 th annual Be a Hero Gala on Oct. 22 near Newark. Champney is being honored for her leadership in reducing the number of overdose deaths in Delaware and connecting Delawareans to treatment and recovery services.
Champney, who was appointed as DSAMH Director in 2021, oversees the state-funded continuum of care for substance use disorder treatment and services for people with serious mental health needs as well as the Delaware Psychiatric Center. The division manages numerous federal grants, including the $38 million State Opioid Response (SOR) grant. Champney co-chairs the Delaware Addiction Action Committee and the Delaware Overdose System of Care. In 2025, she was appointed by Gov. Matt Meyer to chair the Delaware Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission, which distributes approximately $13 million to $15 million each year to programs that support the prevention, treatment and recovery needs of Delawareans.
Prior to joining DSAMH, Champney served as Chief of Planning, Research & Reentry at the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC). During her tenure at DOC, Champney established and led the Department’s Office of Reentry, following Gov. John Carney’s issuance of Executive Order 27 to improve the state’s service infrastructure for the formerly incarcerated. Before working in state government, she served as the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization the Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ), where she managed a variety of programs including support services for victims of crime, juvenile justice diversion programming, prisoner reentry case management, mediation of court cases, and pretrial justice policy reform. Champney holds a graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.
