From left to right: Emily Slute, Lily Littman, Lorraine Angelakos, Jackie Rosen – Executive Director of the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention, Allie Greenberg, Carley Dempsey, Alexa Palen, Alexis Littman.
By: Sharon Aron Baron
The tragic loss of one of their fellow Indian Princesses became the inspiration for friends to raise over $12,000 for suicide prevention in her memory.
Gabi Greenberg, 14, a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, committed suicide in 2013. Her passing profoundly affected the community as well as her Indian Princess family, a father-daughter organization in Parkland that she had been a member of for ten years with her father Marvin as well as her sisters Amanda and Allie.
“We loved Gabi and wanted to do something that might help other teenagers recognize the warning signs and know that help was close by,” said 13-year-old Iroquois member Lorraine Angelakos.
Indian Princesses and fathers
The Iroquois tribe of the Indian Princess program, raised $12,000 to benefit the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention in memory of her.
“Our girls effort in the planning, and running of the event was inspiring; a selfless act of compassion,” said Iroquois chief Evan Titelbaum.
Within a year, the Iroquois tribe, along with the Greenberg family, formed “Gabi’s Girls.” Through the efforts of the Iroquois tribe, a carnival theme event known as Family Fun Night was created in Parkland. Guests participated in outdoor activities including inflatable slides, dunk tank, video dance booth, jousting competition, raffle, silent auction and family-style bar-b-q. Over 330 guests attended the event which lasted well into the evening and ended with a movie under the stars.
The Iroquois tribe said they are committed to suicide awareness through organizations like Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention, Inc. (F.I.S.P) Donations can be made to them through their website: www.FISPonline.org.
The YMCA Indian Princess Program is an activity program that promotes strong bonds between fathers and daughters through shared activities such as campouts, monthly meetings, community outings and individual and group competitions.
The Indian Princess Program can be contacted through www.SeminoleNation.Org.
