A little celebrity traveling a long way

Lauren Vane

When an 18-year-old freshman at San Diego State University decided he

wanted to reach out to depressed and suicidal teenagers, he called in

a little help from his friends.

The young man is Dieter Schmitz, a familiar face on the popular

MTV reality show “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County,” and his

friends consist of fellow cast members and several headliners in the

music industry.

Schmitz decided to use his reality television exposure to launch

an endeavor of his own: “Running Home 4 Teens,” a home-grown effort

to bring awareness about teen depression.

On Dec. 19, when classes are finished for winter break, Schmitz

will complete a combination run and bike ride home to Laguna Beach

from San Diego, traveling more than 70 miles to collect donations for

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, a national nonprofit that

works to prevent and raise awareness about depression and suicide.

“Everyone’s depressed at some time,” Schmitz said.

In just his first semester at college, Schmitz said he has already

heard of an attempted suicide and a drug overdose by fellow

classmates.

As Schmitz watched his senior year at Laguna Beach High School

unfold on television, he said it was difficult and he missed his

friends.

“It’s easy to be depressed,” Schmitz said.

Fortunately, Schmitz had a core support group of friends, but said

he wondered what it must be like for teenagers who have to go it

alone.

Schmitz said he knew he could either ride the wave of being a

reality television celebrity and “live it up,” or he could use his

status to make a difference.

“We can use it pretty much to save lives, bottom line,” Schmitz

said.

Schmitz has been working with SAVE since October, and SAVE’s

executive director, Daniel Reidenberg, said that Schmitz has been an

inspiration to many.

“He is a kid who has decided to take on philanthropy at an early

age and really try to help others,” Reidenberg said.

Schmitz has gone above and beyond what most teenagers think of

doing, Reidenberg said.

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to

19-year-olds, so raising awareness of this issue is critical in

saving lives,” Reidenberg said.

So far, the Schmitz has raised about $6,000, with a goal of

$10,000, Schmitz said. Most of the donations have been from out of

state, and Schmitz is grateful, but also wants his hometown to become

more involved with the charity, he said.

“I’m really glad it went to the national level, but I really want

Laguna to represent,” Schmitz said.

In a generous effort, bands Blink 182 and New Found Glory, are

donating autographed guitars to be auctioned off on their websites,

and 100% of proceeds will go to Running Home 4 Teens, Schmitz said.

“They all love the show so they wanted to help out,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz is also getting support from his high school friends, he

said.

Trey Phillips, 18, one of Schmitz’s best friends and also a cast

member on “Laguna Beach,” said he admires what Schmitz is doing.

“He is sacrificing his lifestyle, his own body and his time and

everything, to help nourish this young community,” Phillips said.

“He’s helping the youth.”

Phillips, who started his own youth activism group in high school,

has been working with him on Running Home 4 Teens and they plan to

combine on youth activism efforts in the future, Schmitz said.

“Trey and I, we want to take uniting America’s youth to a new

level,” Schmitz said.

Phillips said he will be there on Dec. 19 when Schmitz crosses the

finish line at Laguna Beach High School. Along with several other

cast members, he will be updating the crowd on Schmitz’s progress.

After Schmitz finishes his journey, he said that he plans to

present Reidenberg with a check. Schmitz estimates he will arrive

sometime between 5 and 6 p.m., but wants the public to be at the high

school starting at 4:30 p.m.

Schmitz is confident in his ability to complete the task, but he

knows it won’t be easy, he said.

“I’ve never been so nervous about anything in my whole life,”

Schmitz said.

“I’m gonna finish no matter what.”

There is no doubt that Schmitz is grateful for all the help from

his friends, but on Dec. 19, Schmitz must complete the run and bike

alone.

As he cruises down the Pacific Coast Highway next week, he says

the importance of the cause and the people waiting at the finish line

is what will keep him going.

“I never knew I was capable of doing something like this,” Schmitz

said.

If you would like to donate to Schmitz’s “Running Home 4 Teens,”

visit his website at https://www.runninghome

4teens.com.