3 years ago · Leah Fogt · 0 comments

NAMI Walk 2020

Every year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Ohio hosts its fundraiser walk to raise funds to help people with mental illness and their families through education, support programming, advocacy, and public awareness efforts. Here are some of the ways mental illness affects our loved ones, families, and community:

In years past the NAMI Walk was a major event, with a large gathering of participants, community organizations and agencies, food trucks, and live music.  Last year the walk was held at Sawyer Point in Cincinnati on a sunny day in May, and the event drew quite a crowd.

In 2020, things were a little different.  The May walk was postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and it was eventually rescheduled for October as a “virtual walk.”  People across southwest Ohio and beyond participated, each in their own way, to continue to the effort to support NAMI.  One of the benefits of this virtual walk is that people could join in the day in their own way.  Instead of the traditional 5k walk, some folks chose to run, ride their bike, or pledge another activity to the project.

I was proud to lead a team in the walk again this year, and despite the challenges of the pandemic, I’m also proud to say we exceeded our fundraising goal!  We raised 120% of our goal!  Thanks to the walk being virtual, we were able to complete our walks safely and in a variety of interesting and fun locations – a definite silver lining to COVID’s impact on the event!  We had walkers (and runners!) in parks, on rec trails, in neighborhoods, on cross country courses, and even at Disney World!  Our teammate, Liz dedicated a 30 minute power vinyasa yoga practice, and her son dedicated his cross country race.  Megan ran 3.2 miles in her neighborhood.  Sarah and her family stomped out the stigma with Mickey and his pals in the Magic Kingdom.  Our team was both impressive and creative in supporting NAMI this year!

Todd and his family enjoyed their walk at a local Metropark.

Noah dedicated his high school cross country race to the cause.  Look at him go!

I did my walking with my husband and son on a rec trail near our home.  It was a brisk morning, so we had to bundle up a little.  Thank goodness the October sun was shining through the trees to warm us up.  Our walk was a total of 2.5 miles, which was pretty good for us, given the short attention span of our little guy!

Thank you to my husband and son for walking with me! Even Teddy came with us, too!

Baby’s first NAMI Walk!

Thank you to the team for helping support NAMI’s important mission. Your participation and enthusiasm made this year’s walk both successful and fun!  Thank you to all those who made donations, especially our small business donors.  Your generosity will help bring about so much good, right here in our community.  With everyone helping out, we certainly did a lot to raise awareness about mental health, fund important projects and services, and create a sense of community to let people know they are not alone!

 

Thank you to our team’s donors:

• Mary Bignell
• Stephanie Huelsman
• The McClain Family
• The Pabin Family
• Casey Harper
• Pat Fogt
• The Groshek Family
• Debbie and Tony Groshek
• Dianne Groshek
• Anonymous
• Christine Johnston

Thank you to our team’s business donors:

• Raise Your Brush
• Jessica Stamper, Color Street Consultant 
• Casey Harper, Exhale Yoga Spa
• Sarah Martin, Thirty-One Gifts Consultant
• Young Kim Realty

To learn more about NAMI of Southwest Ohio, visit their website.

Categories: Awareness and News, Skills and Resources