February 4, 2026

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Dear Friends,

As we close out our second year, I want to thank all of the donors, volunteers, contractors, and fellow board members who have turned their support into measurable impact. Together, we are building something that matters.

 

As one chapter closes and another begins, I find myself taking stock of how far we've come and envisioning where we're headed. This annual letter is both a celebration of progress and a commitment to the work that lies ahead.

 

A Year of Growth and Impact

Two years ago, our family's tragedy led us to found the TENS Foundation in my brother Tram's memory. What began as a response to loss has evolved into a growing force for change in how we address Alcohol Use Disorder. As a 100% volunteer-led nonprofit, every dollar raised goes directly toward our mission of education, support, and community building.

 

2025 brought significant progress. We reached our fundraising goal of $100,000, ultimately raising $100,919. This included a major milestone: our first grant of $30,000 from the Haverty Foundation. This success has inspired us to make grant writing a cornerstone of our 2026 fundraising strategy, allowing us to build sustainable funding streams while expanding our donor base.

 

We launched our Support Program by establishing partnerships with two exceptional treatment centers: Liberty Bay Treatment Center in Portland, Maine, and Caron Foundation, a nonprofit with locations in Eastern Pennsylvania and Delray Beach, Florida. Through careful negotiation, we secured a 33% discount with Caron Foundation. We have committed $25,000 to fund either deductibles and neurorestorative treatments for three patients or traditional detox and rehab for one patient, representing our first direct intervention in helping individuals access life-saving care for Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.

 

Our community showed up in force. Over 60 people joined us for our inaugural Tram Jam Beach Biathlon in May, combining wellness, competition, and connection. Nearly 100 volunteers gathered for our second island cleanup on Pond Island in Penobscot Bay, demonstrating that recovery and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. These events do more than raise funds: they build the kind of supportive community that makes recovery possible.

 

We dramatically expanded our reach by contracting Ghost Social Media Management. In the first month alone, our educational content reached roughly 95,000 views through 17 short-form videos. This represents a quantum leap in our ability to spread awareness about Alcohol Use Disorder to those who need it most.

 

Perhaps our most significant achievement was launching our pilot education program at Deer Isle High School this fall. We produced a mini-documentary and showed it to the entire student body of 67 students. The initial survey revealed a critical gap in knowledge: only one-third of students knew that you can die from alcohol withdrawal. Beginning in February, we will continue the program with a series of three-minute educational videos, followed by a second survey to measure learning outcomes. Early results suggest this model can make a real difference in how young people understand the risks of Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.

 

We also strengthened our operational foundation by welcoming Patsy Stouch to our board as Treasurer, bringing essential financial expertise as we scale our programs.

 

Our Mission Today

We remain committed to providing education, support, and community for those affected by Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, and their loved ones. The research paints a sobering picture of alcohol's impact on our society. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 178,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually in the United States, making it the fourth leading preventable cause of death. The World Health Organization reports that alcohol contributes to over 200 disease and injury conditions, including liver cirrhosis, various cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. A 2023 study published in JAMA Network Open found that even moderate drinking increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. Perhaps most alarmingly, research shows that 40% of violent crimes involve alcohol, and over 30% of completed suicides show elevated blood alcohol levels.

 

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome itself poses life-threatening risks that are often misunderstood. Studies indicate that untreated severe alcohol withdrawal carries a mortality rate of up to 15%, yet only one-third of high school students in our pilot program knew you could die from alcohol withdrawal. Despite 11.3% of adults in the United States (29.6 million people) reporting Alcohol Use Disorder, stigma and underreporting suggest the true number is far higher. In a society where alcohol is ubiquitous and available, gaps remain in the social safety net. We are here to fill them.

 

Looking Ahead to 2026

We enter our third year with clear goals and proven momentum. Our fundraising target is $125,000, and we are implementing a more aggressive grant application strategy to diversify our funding base. We aim to commit at least $50,000 in scholarship funding this year, with the potential to allocate more as fundraising allows.

We will continue to build partnerships with high-quality treatment centers in Florida and Maine that share our commitment to evidence-based care and patient dignity. To strengthen our clinical expertise and program credibility, we are establishing a Medical Advisory Board with at least two physicians who specialize in addiction medicine and related fields. Based on the success of our Deer Isle pilot program, we will assess expansion into additional schools, bringing critical education about Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome to young people before misconceptions take root.

 

Our community will gather three times in 2026. The second annual Tram Jam Beach Biathlon will take place in Atlantic Beach, Florida, this May. We will host another island cleanup in Penobscot Bay, Maine, this summer. And in August, we will bring everyone together for a concert at David's Folly Farm in Brooksville, Maine: a celebration of recovery, hope, and connection.

 

Like our namesake the North Star, our foundation continues to provide steady guidance for those who may fear they are lost. The difference is this: we are no longer just a beacon. We are becoming a force for systemic change, proven results, and renewed hope.

Thank you for being part of this vital mission.



Sincerely,

Charlie Evans