On Tuesday night, October 14th, our Winter Springs community and the halls of Lyman High School lost a genuine gem: our beloved Landon Smith. The pain of this loss is immeasurable, but the impact of his life shines as a beacon for us all.

Landon was more than a student, a teammate, or a friend; he was a light who brightened every life he touched. He was kind, profoundly loving, and fiercely nurturing of those around him. He possessed that rare quality of being the first one to pick you up when you were down, always offering support with a respectful "yes, sir" or "no, ma'am" attitude that made him a treasure to every adult who knew him. He truly was a radiant spirit in our community.

He loved fast cars, the camaraderie of baseball, and the thrill of cheering on his Philadelphia Eagles. But above all, he was a best friend to a multitude of children in our community, and his presence is deeply missed in the hearts of our youth.

In his memory, we cannot stand by. We must act with the same compassion and care that Landon showed every day.

We are establishing Landon's Homerun for Hope: a Mental Health Initiative to honor his spirit by helping other children and families in his community.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will be dedicated to increasing and improving Mental Health Resources for Youth in Seminole County.

Landon's parents will have final decisions over how the funds are distributed both to the community causes they select and to cover immediate expenses for the family.

Possible action steps:

Accessible Counseling: Funding hours for licensed counselors for youth who cannot otherwise afford them.

Prevention Programs: Supporting sports-based programs and workshops focused on mental health education and suicide prevention.

Resource Distribution: Ensuring families have immediate access to crisis information and long-term support networks.

How You Can Help

By donating to this fund, you are keeping Landon's loving, nurturing spirit alive. You are looking out for the friends, teammates, and classmates he left behind. You are transforming our collective heartbreak into a sustainable effort to safeguard the mental well-being of our future generations in Seminole County.

Please donate, and share Landon's story with your network. Let us show the world the depth of his impact and build a lasting legacy that reflects the true gem he was.

Thank you for your love, your compassion, and your support as we honor Landon Smith.