Raising Awareness, Inspiring Recovery, Saving Lives

Leo Howe's life was a beacon of potential and light, tragically cut short by fentanyl poisoning in 2023. In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, his mother, Beth, sought to transform her grief into a force for good by partnering with Not a Glum Lot. NGL is a nonprofit that provides FREE fun and exciting activities to addicts who are new to recovery, helping them understand that joy and happiness are possible in sobriety.

The fund’s immediate goal is to grow to $50,000, creating a sustainable source of support that will ensure NGL’s work can continue for years to come. Every dollar contributed to Leo’s Legacy Fund is an investment in saving lives, honoring Leo’s memory, and supporting those who are courageously rebuilding their futures.

Leo’s Legacy Fund was created to honor his memory and ensure that NGL can continue its vital mission of saving lives through sobriety-focused recreation. This designated fund is designed to serve as a long-term investment resource for NGL, providing sustainable access to resources to support the organization’s administrative and overhead expenses.

Your contribution honors Leo’s legacy and helps countless others find joy and happiness in sobriety, ensuring they can build fulfilling lives free from addiction.

Our Goal:

To establish an administrative reserve for Not a Glum Lot by raising $150,000.

Not a Glum Lot has established an Agency Fund with the Chisolm Trails Community Foundation to strengthen the impact of Leo’s Legacy Fund and to:

• Ensure third-party oversight of fund assets.
• Leverage economies of scale and professional investment strategies.
• Support the administration of complex charitable giving vehicles.

About Not A Glum Lot

Feel Good, Feel Happy, Feel Excited

We're Not Glum

NOT A GLUM LOT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit org. We provide fun activities to Austinites recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

Founded in Austin, Texas, NGL provides transformative recreational experiences for individuals in early recovery. Addiction often leaves individuals feeling isolated, anxious, and fearful that a sober life will be dull or unfulfilling. NGL combats these fears head-on, offering activities that show participants a new, exciting, and fulfilling way to live without substances.

NGL Events

Depression, isolation, and anxiety are common in early recovery, and providing connections and friendships via recreational activities is a life-saving measure. The more they enjoy their life without drugs and alcohol, the less likely they are to relapse and potentially overdose. NGL coordinates three types of outings, all of which are free to all persons in the beginning stages of recovery, regardless of income, ethnicity, religion, age, or gender.

Gatherings

We welcome anyone and everyone to these outings and typically see up to 150 people at each monthly gathering. Some of these are returning participants, but many are people who are new to addiction recovery and searching for a way to enjoy life and build a community while sober.

Closed Events

Our closed events usually consist of a particularly breathtaking experience. We collaborate with the managers of recovery houses to identify individuals who would most benefit from a unique life experience in a supportively sober environment.

RSVP Events

RSVP Required events happen several times a year and are usually a specific group event with a nominal cost attached - which can quickly bloom into a much bigger cost if we pay for participation above the number of individuals that actually turn up.

Leo was a problem solver, a comedian, a master chef, and, above all, a son to an incredible mother and a true friend to everyone he crossed paths with. He had a rare gift—the kind of presence that made you feel like you’d known him forever, even if you had just met. He had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and understood, effortlessly creating a space where you could open up and be yourself. He had this incredible ability to make you look like the smartest person in a room full of Harvard scholars, yet he was just as skilled at diffusing tension with ease and grace. They say that, at least once in our lives, we meet a friend who feels like an angel—someone who shows us pure kindness and compassion with no hidden agenda. Leo was that friend. He was too good for the nature of this world, and while his time here was far too short, I find comfort in knowing he’s in a better place, surrounded by all the anime, video games, and ingredients his heart desires. Side Story: Leo was the first person I ever brought from work to one of my music events. And what really stuck with me was how he embraced me for who I am. He knew I didn’t drink or smoke, but instead of making fun of me or giving me weird looks, he did something that truly warmed my heart. After my set, he walked up to me with a Sprite and cranberry juice—complete with a straw and a tiny umbrella—and said, “Here you go, bro. Cheers. Now people will think we’re drinking, plus we got these cool straws. And by the way, this was the most fun I’ve ever had—you killed it!” That small, thoughtful gesture was the moment our brotherhood began. 

Leo, an angel, I called brother.

Generosity, kindness, love, and tolerance.

These are all virtues I used to associate with myself.  Early on in my adult life, I decided to embody these ideas and beliefs in my career field. Dedicating myself to a career of service as a first responder.

Along with helping others, the ocean has also been a primary focus in my life. Its power and beauty have been a regular guiding light in my life. The joy of swimming in an endless body of opportunity and adventure has captivated me from childhood.

As I got older, my dependence on substance grew and grew. Ever slowly and deceptively taking hold of my life, replacing love, self-respect, the ocean,, and my family.

I met Leo in the winter storm of my addictions. Alone, cold, hurt, and afraid.

Struggling to grasp onto the warmth and love of god and others. I had spent an entire life trying to help others and had not much to show for it.   Knocked down yet again, trying to get up off my knees.

Others would vocally remind me that I was meant for so much more; that I need to help and be kind to myself first to help others. To get up and start my life for real.

Leo, however, was the one who actually took my hand to help me back up to my feet.

Even tho at the time we’re both grabbing hold of each other. He showed me a calm strength of kindness that helped me not just to stand up but to start dancing.

So together we stood up. One leg at a time.

Stronger and better for each other.

When deciding to start down my new life path of sobriety, Leo was the courage and light I needed to remind myself of my purpose and love. Helping me reflect and renew my commitment to service and family.

God sent a brother down for me.

One who understood me without a word.

Helping me grow and see all the light and beauty in this life with just one half-glanced smile out the corner of his eye. A sparkle that lives and exists in every good deed or loving action that I will take for the rest of my existence. In this life and next, I will have my lion brother with me.

The world we live in is not overtly nice.


However, my lion angel brother showed us that we all have lions and angels within us. To roar and fly in God's spirit of love.

Leo was introduced into my life and became an extremely close friend of mine instantly. His laugh; contagious. His smile; genuine and loving. We shared a love for Xbox, and he was so smart with his money; we talked about investments all the time. I’ll never forget the impact he made on my life. He was one of the people who taught me how to genuinely love another person without expecting anything in return. We had many late-night talks where he gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten. One of the smartest, most caring, loving guys I’ve ever met in my life. I love you, Leo. I miss you so much, buddy, but I know you’re watching us all from above. I’ll see you again one day.

I met Leo when I was 15 years old while attending the Khabele school, and I remember thinking, “I wanna be this guy's friend”.

He had such a cool demeanor and seemed so unbothered. It took a while for us to grow close. But when we did, we were inseparable. He was with me when I got my first car, and riding with me when I put my first CD in, it was a DJ Skrew CD that we bonded over and would send each other songs from even into our 30s. Leo was always an extremely loyal friend to me, no matter where we were in our lives or what we were going through. His heart was so pure, and he loved helping others more than he did himself. There’s nothing that wasn’t personal about our friendship, and I’m grateful to be able to share the incredible impact that he had and has on my life. Leo not only impacted my life but also so many others. After his passing, I learned that the best way for me to honor him is to honor myself. Which reminds me of this quote by Gandhi: “Death is not the greatest loss in life; the greatest loss is what dies inside of us while we live.” It’s a subtle but important reminder that life is so precious. It’s a dual philosophy that balances urgency with patience, and patience with growth… I learned that I had so much weight on my shoulders that I was carrying. His passing had a domino effect on me, which felt like my last domino had toppled over. I had none left and I had to pick them all up, but this time, secure them, reinforce and heal all the cracks and damages from over the years. I went on a deep self-healing journey that allowed me to become the most resilient and aware version of myself that ever existed. I learned that I couldn’t let the things that made me who I am die inside me while I live. It’s easy for that to happen when we lose people we love, but when you honor yourself to keep living, you’re really honoring your loved ones. I’m really honoring Leo.