(Photo courtesy of Kiefer Magic)
The Central Oregon community came together Monday evening, September 28, at Wild Ride Brew in Redmond for a special Suicide Prevention Pint Night, bringing people together to raise awareness, honor lives lost to suicide, and support the work of Kiefer Magic, a newly established Central Oregon 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on connecting people with meaningful mental health and suicide-prevention and postvention resources.
The event was held during National Suicide Prevention Month and featured a simple but powerful community partnership: $1 from every pint sold during the event was donated to Kiefer Magic.
For Kiefer Magic founder Julie Leutschaft, the evening represented exactly what she hopes the organization will continue to build throughout Central Oregon — community connections that turn awareness into action.
“Kiefer loved people, he loved his community, and he loved a good beer,” said Leutschaft. “Bringing people together at Wild Ride where Kiefer worked, to talk about suicide prevention while supporting the work of Kiefer Magic is a meaningful way to keep his magic alive.”
Kiefer Leutschaft died by suicide in 2021 at the age of 26. A University of Oregon graduate and longtime Central Oregon community member, Kiefer was known for his humor, kindness, energy, adventurous spirit and love of family, friends, the Oregon Ducks and good beer.
His family has chosen to turn their loss into action through Kiefer Magic.
Turning Loss Into Action
Kiefer Magic was founded in 2026 with a mission to connect individuals, families, employers, students and communities with organizations and resources working to improve mental health, prevent suicide and strengthen behavioral health.
Rather than duplicate services already being provided in the community, Kiefer Magic intends to serve as a connector and charitable funding partner — helping innovative organizations and programs reach the people who need them.
Future areas of work may include supporting suicide-prevention and postvention efforts, behavioral-health education and awareness, resource connection, community outreach and scholarships for students pursuing careers in mental health, behavioral health, social services and addiction treatment.
“There’s so much incredible work happening in mental health and suicide prevention, but sometimes people don’t know where to turn,” Leutschaft said. “Kiefer Magic wants to help connect the dots and help get resources into the hands of people and organizations doing this important work.”
A Community Partnership
Wild Ride Brew Co. has been an important part of the Leutschaft family’s efforts to honor Kiefer. The brewery has previously supported mental-health awareness through its Kiefer Magic Hazy IPA, with a portion of proceeds benefiting mental-health awareness efforts.
Monday’s Pint Night continued that partnership, giving members of the community an opportunity to gather, enjoy a beer, learn more about suicide prevention and contribute to Kiefer Magic’s charitable mission.
“Kiefer Magic is grateful to Wild Ride and everyone who came out to support this event,” Leutschaft said. “Every pint, every conversation and every dollar helps us continue building something positive from something incredibly painful.”
Kiefer Magic encourages people to make suicide prevention part of an ongoing community conversation — not just something discussed during September.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
