2016 Landon Korabek OneLove JamFest, 6th annual event was a smashing success.  Thank you to everyone that came out to the event and those that supported us from far away.  We will announce soon the total amount that was raised for NOPE (Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education) and Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts.

Great big thanks to the Thirsty Marlin for hosting OneLove JamFest;  Brian, Cynda, the entire wait staff and bartenders – you all did outstanding job serving everyone!

Thank you to all the bands, Just Vinnie, Shenanigans, the Horny Toads and Six Volt Rodeo – you all ROCKED the house!  Your music filled our hearts with love and joy and we all got to sing along to great songs.  Thank you to Dr. Sherry Showalter for kicking off JamFest with her inspirational words that remind us the reason for the day and to say Landon’s name.  Thank you to all the volunteers; we appreciate your time that helps make JamFest run like a well-oiled machine.  We live in onderful community and we thank every business that donated goods and services for the raffle, silent auction and balloons.  Thanks to the businesses that sponsored ads on our tshirt and in the program.  Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting JamFest.  Thanks to Ruth Eckerd Hall, Tampa Bay Times and WMNF 88.5 for promoting our event through their voice and media.  This also includes the many Facebook shares to help spread the word.  Finally, thank you to the OneLove JamFest committee, Kendra, Karen, Brenda, Lori, Lis, Tanya and Shirley.  They all work tirelessly and give so much of their time to make OneLove JamFest the best event in Palm Harbor.  Thank you for remembering Landon Korabek on May 7, 2016, a day thatwe lost our son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend.  He will never be forgotten.

One of our school presenters Susan Korabek tells young people that wrong choices about drugs can have fatal consequences. Her 17-year-old son learned that after experimenting with drugs and dying of an overdose.

A night of experimenting with drugs ended the life of Susan Korabek’s son, Landon, who was just 17.

Like any mother living with the loss of a child, Susan struggled deeply with Landon’s accidental overdose. Eventually, she found an outlet to dealing with her grief: educating young people about the dangers of using drugs -- even once. She connected with NOPE Task Force and has been a powerful speaker at our school presentations. Her “tears of sadness” led her to take action.

Her talks are changing the lives of students. She explains here:

1) Describe how you got involved with NOPE.

Susan Korabek: My son Landon died unexpectedly at the age 17 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Just 3 months prior, a 14-year-old died from the same high school, and a year prior a young girl died from another high school in the county. In the wake of too many young deaths and my own ignorance of how teens were experimenting, I wanted to find a purpose to help this community issue so others would not feel the pain of loss that my family felt when Landon died.

Within days of Landon’s passing, NOPE came to the high school for a parent meeting and it was the first time I saw the presentation. As I sat and listened to the presenters explain the dangers and I heard the heartfelt stories of loss from parents, my tears of sadness led me to want to help and take action. I wanted to be part of NOPE to tell Landon’s stories to show that from one night of experimentation a life can be taken.

2) How has doing NOPE presentations helped you cope with your loss?

Susan Korabek: Speaking for NOPE has allowed me to share Landon’s story starting by describing the wonderful young man that he was, but how one night cost him his life. I want Landon’s story and his picture to resonate in the students’ minds so they remember his outcome when they are making choices to partake. At schools where I’ve given the presentation more than once, I’ve actually had students approach me to say that they remembered Landon when they were at a party and they chose to say no. For parents, my story and my admission that I didn’t know about prescription drug abuse gets them to realize that they need to have a heightened sense of urgency to understand the dangers. Finally, people that have heard the NOPE presentation have allowed them not to be alone to share their own story and struggles so they know that they are not alone in seeking help or advice for their situation. Sharing Landon’s story is not easy, but the hugs, tears and “thank yous” help me to believe that my son is thanking me for getting others to learn from his mistake.

3) What do you hope students will remember after hearing your story?

Susan Korabek: After a NOPE presentation, I want students to remember Landon’s story, his picture and how his mistake impacted his family and friends. I want them to remember the risk-taker that he was and that one night of taking prescription drugs was the biggest and last risk that took his life. I want them to remember that he was a kid who is just like them -- happy, fun and athletic -- but wrong choices have their consequences. Most importantly, they need to remember that calling 911 will save a life and they must make that call.

4) What advice would you give parents of teenagers as it relates to drug prevention?

Susan Korabek: In speaking with parents, there are 3 points that I want them to take away.

First and foremost, tell your children that you love them every single day and tell them with direct eye contact so they see the sincerity of your message.

Second, talk to your kids about all drugs and alcohol regularly. Constantly stay ahead of what drugs are prevalent because your kids know more than you do.

Finally, I tell parents that you have to trust your gut feelings. If you sense or see signs of behavior that are not normal, don’t wait to take action. Get help or get a drug test. You may get resistance but it is only because your child deep down wants your support. 

Originally posted here

This year was the 5th anniversary of the Landon Korabek OneLove JamFest and 5 years since Landon’s passing. In honor of Landon and in the spirit of his memory, we invited some of Landon’s friends to share memories about their times together and the impact he made on their lives. These young people, our friends, had the courage to speak from their heart to make us laugh and to allow us to shed some tears. Your words are reminders that every day is precious and that every moment with friends and family should also be cherished. Thank you Shannon, William, Jeff, J-raq, Forrest, Martin and Adam for speaking and sharing OneLove.

Landon's friends share memories and what his passing has meant to each of them.

Susan Korbek talks to Bay News 9

June 24, 2013

PALM HARBOR -- After no longer being able to stand the quiet of her home after the death of her son, Susan Korabek of Palm Harbor discovered music was a way to heal her family and thousands of others who lost someone to prescription drugs.

Her son Landon died of an overdose three years ago at the age of 17.

"When the autopsy came back, it said he'd overdosed on a combination of Vicodin and Xanax," she said. "I don't know if it was his first time. I tell students one time can kill you."

Since Landon's death, Susan has been busy. She started the One Love JamFest to fund a foundation in Landon's name at Ruth Eckerd Hall's Hoffman Performing Arts Institute.

The annual concert has raised $48,000 so far, allowing local students to attend the Institute and receive interactive music instruction in such places as New York City and the White House.

Susan, through the Pinellas Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education group, has also spoken to 30,000 students to warn them of the dangers of prescription drugs.

"My husband and I decided we have to do something to focus our energy to see if we could prevent another family from going through this," she said. "That's when we established our Foundation and created the One Love JamFest in Landon's memory."

"We have to educate kids. We'll continue to do it as long as our foundation and the JamFest can raise money. It's not about a few thousand dollars. It's about continuing the legacy of Landon."