There was plenty of fun at the 2008 NAMI SSW (National Alliance on Mental Illness Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot Counties) NAMIwalks. Hancock, Erie, Huron, and other counties participated as well to raise money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Balloons, music and plenty of hot coffee were on hand to perpetuate this great event. The money helps to sponsor free support groups, Family to Family meetings, Peer-to-Peer training and Hand-to-Hand programs for the area.

A total of just over $20,000 was raised at this year's NAMIwalks, whose motto was "For the Mind of America". The walk on Saturday, April 26 took place at Conner Park in Fremont and was supported by 381 individuals who participated in the rain or shine event. The Grand Marshall was John Van der Laar who started the walk off on a golf cart with his wife Nancy.

An estimated 2.8% of the population is affected by serious brain disorders (often called mental illness). That means that 308,600 Ohioans suffer from these illnesses. In any given year 3.2% of children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 17 are diagnosed with a serious brain disorder.

NAMI's programs are designed to provide people and their families who are affected by mental illness with a deeper understanding of mental illness and with strategies for living with and recovering from serious mental illness. Program participants will recognize that they are not alone and feel empowered to advocate for better treatment and services for themselves and for family members.

Self-care information, and family and peer support are valuable assets in working through the many challenges faced by individuals and families who have been touched by serious mental illness. They are complimentary to, but not substitutes for professional assistance.

NAMI SSW (the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Seneca, Sandusky & Wyandot counties) was created in 1988 by a small group of family members to provide mutual support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by serious brain disorders. We now include family members, mental health consumers, providers, community mental health boards, mental health organizations and other supporters among our growing membership.

The NAMI Mission is dedicated to the eradication of mental illness and to improving the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illness. We provide public information, peer education and support, raising awareness and fighting stigma as well as and state and federal advocacy.

NAMI SSW would like to thank all of this year's participates, corporate sponsors, and donors for their kindness and support. We greatly appreciate your compassion for those people facing the challenges of mental illness.

For those that walked

We are accepting donations for 60 past the date of the walk. This means that you can still follow up on those people that had promised to sponsor, but never followed through, or to contact those that you haven't contacted yet. It is not uncommon for the walk totals to go up by 10-15% in the 60 days following the walk. Let's see if we can hit that mark and push the number to over $23,000!

NAMI SSW would like to thank the following corporate sponsors

The Tiell Financial Group, The Center for Mental Health and Well Being at Memorial Hospital, Firelands Mental Health and Revocery Services, John Houser CPA, Morgan AM&T, Door Mouse, DT Beaston Construction, Fremont Federal Credit Union, Whirlpool Findlay, Helena Lumber, Hollinger Insurance, Ace Hardware, Advertiser Tribune, Cash Land, Fort Ball Pizza, Great Scot, Marco's Pizza, Nature Trails Golf Course, O.E. Meyer Company, Paul Cole Motors, Pizza Hut, River Cliff Golf Club, St. Mary's RAS (Fremont), Tractor Supply Company, Hancock County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, Fremont Quick Print, Ole Zims Wagonshed, Ballville Township Trustees, Home Savings Bank, Walmart, Kroger, Liberty Tax Service