SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- A South Dakota nonprofit has made it its mission to encourage others to seek mental health services. Better South Dakota aims to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. It was originally called Long Live MC in honor of Manny Christopher, a former Roosevelt High School and Dakota Wesleyan University football player who died by suicide in 2021. "A warrior, fighter. You could describe him as a dog. He's truly just an indescribable kind of person, energetic personality, infectious smile and my best friend, my roommate. He was just someone that you could count on for for really anything," Better South Dakota co-founder Tristan Teichmeier said. "Manny was the type of guy that could walk into the room, and everybody would notice and realize that Manny is in the room. He had a really loud personality, but at the same time, he cared deeply about everybody. He's the type of person that would take the clothes off of his back to make sure that you are taken care of," Manny Christopher's brother and Better South Dakota co-founder Denet Christopher said. At its Counseling for Kids event Saturday, Better South Dakota gifted Patrick Henry Middle School a $10,000 grant. Car break-in in Sioux Falls "It's not very often that somebody comes to you and says, 'Hey, we want to give a donation of this of this size,'" Patrick Henry Middle School principal Kim Sharping said. Sharping says Patrick Henry will use the money for mental health services at the school. "We're focused on learning, and that is our purpose every day, but we also know that we can't really teach unless those physical, emotional and mental health needs are met first," Sharping said. It's a gift that Manny would have been proud of. "Manny would be smiling from ear to ear," Denet Christopher said. Better South Dakota hopes it can extend its reach throughout the state and eventually the country. To learn more about the organization, click here.