As powerful as they are, it takes more than words to make a difference for the one in five Canadians who experience mental illness. Brian was one of approximately four thousand in our country to commit suicide in the last year.

Please donate today to this fundraiser in support of CAMH. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is more than a hospital. It's a catalyst for change.

Below you will find a list of suggested donations, each aligned with a book and an explanation of why it's included in the list. It's our way of sharing a bit about some of the written words that were significant in Brian's life, and in our memories of him. Feel free to donate any amount you like. If you are unable to donate online, we can also accept in person donations by cash or cheque. You can also use your words to reach out to someone who is struggling, use your time to help a fellow human in any way you can.

Together, we can give people hope for a better tomorrow.

SUGGESTED DONATIONS

$100.00 THE PROFESSIONAL ADVENTURING FRIENDS by Brian Brown
In the words of the author's bio Brian created for the publication of tales he told to children, “his decision to turn the stories into a book was motivated by his desire to leave behind something for his kids to be proud of, and to bring the same comfort and peace he found in books to other children and their families". We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the tremendous significance of those kids - Jacob, Taye and Jaden - who unknowingly contributed so much to both this book, and his life.

$80.00 THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd
While this book speaks of loss and betrayal, it also features themes of love, healing and the power found in the unity of women. Melissa Jane Oliver-Copping (1985-2017) was the love of Brian’s life, and he wore a honeycomb tattoo in her honour. We chose this book in memory of Melissa, and because it was with her that Brian experienced his greatest sense of belonging.

$70.00 LAST RUNG ON THE LADDER by Stephen King
Ask almost anyone who Brian’s favourite author was and the likely answer will be Stephen King. On behalf of Brian's blended immediate family, we continue this list with the first sampling of the master’s writing that he ever read.

$60.00 RED RISING by Pierce Brown
One of the main characters in this series, Sevro, is someone Brian identified with so strongly that he adopted his name for use in online platforms. Brian, like Sevro, was indeed a 'Howler for life'.

$50.00 MOBY DICK by Herman Melville
The source of the quote Brian had tattooed on his forearm, and a favourite of Hugh Laurie, the actor who played another fictional character that resonated with Brian – Dr. Gregory House.

$40.00 TYRONE THE HORRIBLE by Hans Wilhelm
A childhood favourite, and now one of two that Jacob regularly requests as a bedtime story at our house, this story addresses bullying – a topic that was close to Brian’s heart.

$30.00 GREEN EGGS AND HAM by Dr. Seuss
“Mom! Mom! I can read this whole book!” – Brian, age six

$20.00 THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK by Jon Stone
Anna fondly recalls reading this one with Brian and Tiffany in crazy, funny voices. Later, it brought her joy to pass the tradition along when it became a favourite of her son, Kolt. It's also the first book Brian bought for Jacob, before he was even born.

$10.00 CALVIN AND HOBBES by Bill Watterson
Tiffany points out that Calvin is likely the first fictional character with whom Brian identified. He seemed to emulate Calvin's rascally personality and vivid imagination. When Brian had a hard time seeing that he was loved, and with fitting in, Calvin was more than a figment of Bill Watterson's imagination. He was a friend that gave Brian a place to escape where he could feel understood.

$5.00 THE DARK TOWER by Stephen King
In an interview that first appeared in the Castle Rock News in March of 1989 Stephen King said, "I started off wondering: What is this tower? What does it mean? And I decided that everybody keeps a Dark Tower in their heart that they want to find. They know it’s destructive and it will probably mean the end of them, but there’s that urge to make it your own or to destroy it, one or the other".
In the words of the main character's spiritual son, Jake Chambers, "Go then. There are other worlds than these."