The community in Fairfield is fighting back against the mental health epidemic after one of their own took his own life.

Former Fairfield Warde High School wrestler and well-known real estate professional Casey Stopa died of suicide at the age of 29 in March.

“We don’t want other families to have to go through what we’ve gone through,” Jeff Stopa says.

Organizers of the Love Like Casey Foundation say they’re raising money to build a mental health and wellness center to help those who are struggling.

“We just want to help people, and we know that Casey wanted to do this,” Stopa says. “This was his dream, so we want to make his dream come true.”

The foundation says prior to Wednesday’s fundraiser at Penfield Beach, it had already raised $20,000.

If you’d like to support the organization or make a donation, email lovelikecasey@gmail.com