Hi everyone! Today is my 25th birthday, and lieu of presents on my special day, I thought I'd ask for something different. This spring, I am participating in a local charity event for a great cause. Will you consider joining me?
The 8th annual CT NAMI Walk takes place Saturday, May 21 at Bushnell Park in Hartford, starting at 10am. The goal of this 5k is to raise awareness & support for those struggling with mental illness and the programs that provide them assistance. Please consider walking with and/or sponsoring our team, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Visit the team webpage to sign up and to donate on our behalf. We have set a preliminary goal of recruiting 5-10 walkers and raising $1,000. Online giving is fast and secure, and email notification of your contribution is instant. All donation amounts are tax-deductible and have the option of being sent anonymously. You may also contact me directly if you prefer to donate in-person.
People affected by mental illness shouldn't have to suffer in silence. Society has placed such a negative stigma on these disorders that many hide their condition and never seek help. Not only are they missing out on treatments that can improve their lives - they feel alone. In my own personal battle with depression, anxiety & compulsory behavior, this was the most devastating part and only increased my fears & thoughts of hopelessness.
Organizations like NAMI provide services to educate and support not just mental health consumers, but friends, family members and the entire community. Spreading awareness and changing the way we think about mental illness will open up new doors on the road to recovery. That's why I decided to create a team and join the CT NAMI Walk this spring. Rather than wallow in my pains and hurts, I want to do something positive for myself and for others with similar struggles.
I have included information about who NAMI is and what they do below. You can also visit their website,
www.nami.org, for more details. Thank you in advance for your prayers & support. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. By supporting this cause, we spread a message of hope and tell those affected by mental illness that "You'll Never Walk Alone."
-Allie Dunn
dazzyL927@yahoo.com(860) 983-3102
Team page:
www.nami.org/namiwalks11/CTC/neverwalkalone NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all whose lives are touched by these illnesses. This includes persons with mental illness, their families, friends, employers, the law enforcement community and policy makers. The NAMI organization is composed of approximately 1100 local affiliates, 50 state offices and a national office.
The goals of the NAMIWalks program are: to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness, to build awareness of the fact that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved and to raise funds for NAMI so that they can continue their mission.
NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity and any donation you make to support my participation in this event is tax deductible. NAMI has been rated by Worth magazine as among the top 100 charities "most likely to save the world" and has been given an "A+" rating by The American Institute of Philanthropy for efficient and effective use of charitable dollars. NAMI has also been given 4 out of 4 stars by The Charity Navigator for short-term spending practices and long-term sustainability.