About Us

Cowboy Up, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporation in Columbia, Tennessee,
that focuses on the prevention of suicide through educational programs. It was originally
started as a service project of Junior Auxiliary of Columbia in 2005. Cowboy Up
continued as a service project with Junior Auxiliary until becoming its own nonprofit in
August of 2020. The program was started by a Lifetime JA Member and Maury County
Educator, Regina Peery. Regina has a passion and desire to raise awareness and help
break the stigma of suicide. She also wants to keep families from experiencing the grief
of suicide.

Cowboy Up, Inc. encompasses many programs and projects. Cowboy Up Middles is presented to 7th grade students in Maury County every year. Over the last 20 years, Cowboy Up has spoken to over 25,000 students and educators in Maury County.
Cowboy Up is also presented across the state at various educational, community, and church events. Cowboy Up, Inc. also has a Boys and Girls Club Outreach Project that meets with club members at least six times per year in the Cowboy Up Teen Room at the Maury County Boys and Girls Club. Cowboy Up Kids is a program that utilizes agricultural literacy to teach agriculture concepts and promote social-emotional learning.
Silver Buckles is a project focusing on outreach and helping our elderly population with
visits, cards, and an annual cook-out. Cowboy Up also brings awareness and support
to farmers and veterans throughout the year at various events.

Approximately one young person dies from suicide every 1 hour and 45 minutes. Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. Research tells us
that almost 70% of the people who attempt suicide express their intentions to someone. Each week in our nation, we lose approximately 100+ people to suicide. Cowboy Up, Inc. encourages people to keep a “Cowboy Up” attitude during the bad times and get help when needed so they do not miss out on the good times life has to offer.

All donations and funds received by Cowboy Up, Inc. are placed directly back into the projects. All officers and members are volunteers from the community. Members meet monthly at 604 North High Street, Columbia, TN. Cowboy Up Friends are members from the community that meet twice a year to help spread our message of hope.

In 2020, Regina published her first book – Hughisms – A Legacy of Life Lessons. Proceeds from the book are used to support the Sunshine Project of Cowboy Up and to support farmers.