Frank Fantozzi, LifeAct Board Member, receives Award for Community Service

Frank Fantozzi, LifeAct Board Member, received the Medical Mutual 2018 Pillar Award for Community Service as Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year on December 6, 2018 due to his service and dedication to LifeAct. Medical Mutual along with co-founding partner, Smart Business, recognized organizations and individuals based on outstanding service to communities and nonprofit organizations.

LifeAct has been fortunate to have the tremendous and loyal support of Frank Fantozzi for more than eight years. Frank has served on many committees, and now serves as the Advancement Chair and Co-Chair of the Annual Fund Committee. Frank started with LifeAct when it was still under the name of Suicide Prevention Education Alliance (SPEA) and helped to facilitate the re-branding to LifeAct. Frank explains, “When we changed our name from SPEA to LifeAct, it really marked a cultural shift and focus on the positive work that we do. Our goal was to increase public awareness to get past the negative stigma of mental illness, depression and suicide and bring it to the forefront as something that can be spoken about more easily and openly.”

A motivation for Frank to get involved with LifeAct was a friend who took his life in high school. Frank often wonders if he had attended one of LifeAct’s programs that teaches teens to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide that this tragedy could have been prevented. A sentiment echoed by many who experience loss to suicide.

“I am most proud of our increasing outreach. Last year we educated 30,000 students with our signature programming. More than 2,500 came forward seeking help for themselves or someone they know. That is impressive given the size of our staff, board and current funding. I am proud of our committed team at LifeAct and the trustees who donate their time. We have grown significantly and will continue to do so to meet the demand placed on our organization.”

– Frank Fantozzi

Frank is the founder and president of Planned Financial Services. He lives with his wife Paulette in Brecksville, Ohio, and has two daughters, Nicole and Natalie. Born and raised in Cleveland, Frank is proud of, involved in, and committed to his city and its surrounding communities. We are proud to have Frank as a member of the LifeAct Team and congratulate him on his well-deserved award!

For more information about volunteering with LifeAct go to the volunteer information page on our website or fill out a volunteer application.