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NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America

SAVE THE DATE ~ 7th Annual NAMI WALK is
October 2, 2010 in Santa Monica

NAMI San Fernando Valley Teams are forming now. Create your own team, or join another, or simply sign up to walk with us. NAMI WALKS for the Mind of America is an opportunity to stand up against stigma and to move forward with an important show of support for the programs and services NAMI SFV provides to our community. Find out how you can be a part of NAMI WALKS 2010.

Contact Beth Arnold, our NAMI SFV Walk Manager
Or, simply join us at our monthly NAMI WALKS Committee Meetings
First Wednesday of every month, 7pm
14545 Sherman Circle Van Nuys 91405 ROOM 10

NAMI WALKS 2010 is October 2nd at Santa Monica Third Street Promenade

JOIN US! A Message from Beth, Our 2010 WALK MANAGER

WALKING FOR THE MIND OF AMERICA

NAMI San Fernando Valley Free Walkathon Benefits Families and Friends Impacted by Mental Illness

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) San Fernando Valley affiliate will join thousands of other vibrant and enthusiastic walkers at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica for the 7th Annual NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America.

Registration begins at 8:00 am and the walk begins at 10:00 am. Walkers who raise $100 or more will receive a free event T-shirt.

NAMIWALKS is NAMI-SFV’s primary fundraiser and proceeds are used to provide free education, support and advocacy to families impacted by major mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Disorder, and Major Depression. NAMI offers several free signature programs including a 12-week Family-to-Family class, BASICS for families with children who are mentally ill,, and In Our Own Voice, a powerful program delivered by people with a mental illness who are living productive lives.

Register TODAY
Be sure to select the San Fernando Valley as your affiliate on the walker tools page. For questions, leave a message for Walk Manager, Beth Arnold at 818-994-6747 or contact by email

NAMI WALKS KICK OFF LUNCHEON FOR TEAM CAPTAINS

NAMI SFV ( National Alliance on Mental Illness San Fernando Valley) members are encouraged to RSVP to join the 2010 NAMI WALKS For The Mind Of America Team Captain Kick-off Luncheon on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at The California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities. Contact Beth for additional information and to RSVP.

This annual complimentary Kick-Off Luncheon is for anyone who wants to create a NAMIWALKS Walk Team or learn more about NAMI WALKS, an exciting event that provides the funding for so many of our NAMI programs; Family to Family, BASICS, Support Groups, Outreach, Expert Speakers, and more. NAMI WALKS is also an empowering experience where families and individuals living with mental illness walk to end stigma.

NAMI SFV is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals living with severe mental illness. Thank you for supporting NAMI WALKS, the primary fundraising event that makes it possible for us to serve our community and you.

Beth Arnold, NAMI SFV Walk Manager 2010

SEASIDE SUCCESS
2009 L.A. County NAMI WALK - Still Time to Help

A Letter from our Walk Manager

Hello NAMI-SFV Friends:

First I would like to thank all of you who supported the 2009 NAMIWALK with your time and/or donations. Walk Day was October 3, 2009 in Santa Monica. It was a beautiful sunlit day with soft ocean breezes that began with a performance by Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, "The Soloist" who was introduced by Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles Times.
NAMI San Fernando Valley was well represented with 17 teams and approximately 100 walkers including 50 walkers from CSUN! Your efforts and generosity helped the San Fernando Valley affiliate raise nearly $20,000 and donations are still coming in. The walk benefits NAMI - LA County, which includes our SFV affiliate, and has nearly reached the 2009 fundraising goal of $300,000.
To continue reaching towards that goal, we will accept donations until December 2, 2009.
There are two ways to help right now

Send a check payable to NAMI-LAC with SFV in the memo line to:
NAMIWalks
PO Box 741029
Los Angeles, CA 90004.
Sponsor a walker or team on-line at: nami.org/walks. Click California on the map, then select the Santa Monica walk, then click on support a walker. Find a team or a walker to sponsor and click on that name.

And

Walk Feedback Welcome
Tell us how you thought we did with preparation for the walk and walk day. Your comments will help us make the walk even better in 2010.
Join our 2010 walk planning team
Contact me at 818-994-6747. We need help writing letters to potential sponsors, help putting up posters advertising the walk at local businesses and organizations and volunteers to find and attend community events throughout the community where we will spread the word about the 2010 NAMIWALK.

I look forward to hearing from you. Together we serve families and individuals living with mental illness and will help end stigma.

Beth Arnold
2009 NAMI-SFV Walk Coordinator.
beth@namisfv.org
818-994-6747
Sponsor us at: nami.org/namiwalks09/los/sfvalley

This year's NAMI WALK theme was WHY I WALK.
Tell us why you walked.
We will post selections from your stories here on the website.
Contact us for more information or simply send us your story.

If you were unable to join us for 2009 NAMI WALKS, or if you are reading this page after December 02 deadline, you can still support the walk by making an online donation today. This is our Annual Fundraising Walk and is the most important source of funding for our programs and services. Donations are welcome any time of year and serve families and individuals living with mental illness by ensuring our programs are always available and always free of charge.

SAVE THE DATE
Plan to join us October 2nd, 2010 for the next NAMI WALK, and contact us any time to learn more about how you can support the walk, our NAMI San Fernando Valley affiliate, and our community.

What: NAMIWALKS are annual fundraising and awareness events held by local NAMI affiliates across the United States. The funds raised by NAMIWALKS pay for local education and awareness efforts including Family-to-Family training, Peer-to-Peer training and outreach programs.

Why: The awareness generated by the walk is crucial to NAMI’s goal to eliminate the stigma that continues to surround those with mental illness and to gain support for affordable, world-class treatment and recovery systems for people whose lives are affected by mental illness. Your support can ensure NAMI and its causes are noticed and heard. Your support can transform lives. NAMI members include those who live with mental illness, and their families and friends.

Schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, severe depression and all severe mental illnesses are simply diseases that can be overcome and enveloped into happy and productive lives. NAMI-SFV works to provide information, education, and resources to allow individuals with living with mental illness and their families and friends to move beyond stigma, to access and embrace treatment, and to regain hope.

When: NAMIWALKS 2010 Saturday, October 2, 2010
8:00 Registration Opens
10:00AM Walk Begins
Donations to support the walk, even if you are unable to join us, are welcomed throughout the year. Any time is a good time to make a donation to the walk, contact us NOW!

Where: 2010 NAMIWALKS location will be announced soon

How Far: 5K (3.2 miles) or about ½ hour to1 hour

How Much (Cost): Free to all (NO registration fee, open to ALL who want to walk)
Walkers raising $100 or more receive a free T-shirt!

How: Contact NAMI-SFV WALK Manager 2009 beth@namisfv.org.

Bring your friends and families and WALK to raise money and awareness to help our NAMI families and mentally ill loved ones!!!

Join us and be a part of this very special morning for NAMI-Los Angeles County! Last year we raised almost $300,000 with over 1,000 walkers participating. We are targeting to raise even more in 2009 and will use the funds to help our NAMI families and loved ones through support, education, outreach and eliminating the stigma that continues to hurt those with mental illness.

To sign up for the walk there is a two-step process. First, click here (nami.org) and create a free NAMI account (no need to do this if you are already a NAMI member). Then go to nami.org/walks to register as an individual walker or create your own Walk Team. BE SURE TO DESIGNATE "NAMI-San Fernando Valley" IN THE DROP DOWN MENU SO THAT YOUR LOCAL AREA NAMI WILL RECEIVE YOUR DONATIONS. Your friends and family can donate by logging onto the personal website you will create. Even if you cannot participate in the actual walk you are welcome to participate as a Web Walker on-line. Just click here. The funds you raise will go towards helping San Fernando Valley families and their mentally ill loved ones.

Memories and Smiles from 2008 NAMI-SFV Walkers

The Event
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walks for the Mind of America is a day that seems almost magical, with over a thousand people coming together to learn more about mental illness, develop stronger ties with one another, and celebrate a beautiful day with friends and loved ones. The NAMI WALKS web-site is up for a few months prior to the walk but this is an annual event that will be held each year. Check back on the nami.org web-site if you do not see the walk web-site.

The Reason
One in five people will be treated for a biological brain disorder such as major depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia, OCD, and addiction at some point in life. NAMI Walks for the Mind of America, the annual NAMI Los Angeles County fundraiser, is a big part of the solution. Financial support that NAMI receives from the Walk is used for its programs that increase mental health recovery and reduce mental illness stigma.

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