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ROCK THE CAUSE for Mission 34 is Back! Here Are This Year’s Rock Stars and Ticket Scoop

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‍ROCK THE CAUSE for Mission 34 is Back! Here Are This Year’s Rock Stars and Ticket Scoop

After a sold-out debut that brought Charlotte together for an unforgettable evening of music, purpose, and community, Mission 34 is tuning up for Rock the Cause 2026, returning Saturday, February 21, 2026, and once again rallying the Queen City around a message that matters: ending the stigma surrounding mental health and preventing suicide through awareness, education, and ambassadors.

Scoop is a proud sponsor of this fab party, and we hope you’ll join us as the Bad Daddies and six guest Rock Stars take the stage to show us all what “a New Type of Tough” is all about.

Why It Matters: Each year, approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide. 1,100 students do not survive their crisis, making suicide the second-leading cause of death among U.S. college students. Founded in 2019 to honor the life and legacy of Sean Bonner Jr. (#34 at Denison University), Mission 34 has now reached over 17,000 people nationwide. The nonprofit operates through a growing network of college and city chapters (16 and counting across the U.S.) that empower students and community members to have open, stigma-free conversations about mental health. Each chapter hosts peer-driven programs, expert speaker events, suicide-prevention trainings, and outreach designed to build “A New Type of Tough.”

“Rock the Cause is more than a fundraiser; it’s a platform for change,” said Heather Bonner, founder of Mission 34 and Sean’s mother. “Together, we can shift the narrative around mental health, showing that asking for help is not a weakness but a New Type of Tough.” Rock The Cause: A Movement Built on Music and Meaning

Last year’s inaugural Rock the Cause event, held February 1, 2025, was a standing-room-only success that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Mission 34’s expanding mental-health programming. The night introduced hundreds of new supporters to the cause and proved that community, compassion, and rock ’n’ roll make a life-changing combination.

This year’s event will again feature the high-energy sounds of The Bad Daddies alongside six incredible Rock Stars, community leaders and advocates who embody what it means to be “A New Type of Tough.”

Mary Martha Felkner Doctor, Author & Aficionado of Healing“ A ‘New Type of Tough’ to me is doing the work of your life: peeling back the layers of who you are and embracing all of what you learn about yourself.”

Pheriby Bryan Professional Dancer & Suicide Prevention Advocate

“A New Type of Tough means ridding ourselves of the fear of talking about mental health by creating an open and honest community.”

Ashley Sigmon Small Business Owner & Queen of “All Things Mahjong”

“Redefining what real strength looks like — it’s not about pushing through silently; it’s about having the courage to ask for help and talk openly about mental health.”

Jackson Edwards Insurance Sales Representative & Lover of Life

“Being intentional with every relationship … you never know how big of an impact you may make.”

Ed McMahan Managing Partner at Falfurrias Capital Partners, Civic Leader & Music Lover

“We appreciate the toughness it requires to overcome challenges that don’t present as physical illnesses.”

Bill Noble Senior Principal with Trust Company of the South, Community Advocate, & Hooked on Fairways and Favorite Playlists

“A New Type of Tough is being brave enough to be vulnerable … willing to speak about mental health, but also to be a great listener and supporter.”

Together, these six Rock Stars will bring powerful personal stories and professional insight to the stage, deepening Mission 34’s mission of awareness, action, and connection.

Beyond the Big Event: Partnering for Purpose Year-Round

Looking for other ways to support this cause?

Join the Mission 34 Angelversary Walk on November 16th at 11:30 am in honor of Sean Bonner Jr. — a 3.4-mile loop that brings friends, family, and communities together to remember, to celebrate, and to walk with purpose. Each step honors Sean’s life and fuels Mission 34’s fight to end the stigma surrounding mental health. What began here in Charlotte has now become a beautiful tradition across Mission 34 chapters nationwide — a movement of hope, love, and connection.

In addition, while Rock the Cause is Mission 34’s flagship fundraiser, the organization’s Beneficiary Partner Program invites restaurants, breweries, retailers, and service businesses to support the mission year-round. Businesses can: Dedicate a percentage of sales during awareness months like May (Mental Health Awareness Month) or September (Suicide Prevention Month).Host Giving Nights or feature special dishes/cocktails benefitting Mission 34.Offer “Round-Up for 34” programs, letting guests add $1–$5 in support of mental-health education and suicide prevention.

This initiative builds a community of purpose-driven partners helping Mission 34 reach more people — one meal, one event, and one conversation at a time. About Mission 34Mission 34 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding mental illness and preventing suicide through education, awareness, and community. Founded in memory of Sean Bonner Jr., Mission 34 empowers young adults to lead with courage, compassion, and connection.