Join us for a FUN-RAISER!

I know its a cheesy title, but it got your attention didn't it?

Wednesday October 14th, 2009, between 5-8pm
Souplantation in Palmdale
is donating 15% of sales generated to NAMI Antelope Valley!

Just print out this flier and present it at the register with your dinner purchase. Print out a couple and pass them along to your friends!

Congrats NAMIWALKS 2009!

Saturday October 3 filled the Santa Monica Promenade with over 1300 walkers! Thank you to everyone for your support! NAMI Antelope Valley had a great team and it was beautiful weather for a walk by the beach. The really special part for me was when a couple walking by stopped to ask what the walk was about. When I told them we were walking to raise awareness and end stigma while fundraising for NAMI programs, they were so excited and wished us luck. We are spreading the word!

It is not too late to donate! You can still donate to an online walker page or send your checks to: NAMIWalks PO Box 741029 Los Angeles, CA 90004.

A $100 donation is a entry in our two-day stay in the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas courtesy of Archer Travel.

Hello NAMIwalkers!

October 3, 2009 is less than a month away! We will be sending out more information as the day approaches about a meeting place and time.

Since we are brand new at the LA County NAMIwalks this year, we are going to wear our pride with specially designed Antelope Valley NAMIwalks t-shirts!

While you can still recruit Walkers to join us, we should focus our energies on our fundraising efforts. Below are some ideas on how to reach those goals. Our affiliate has set a goal of $2,500.00. So far we have raised $420.00. If each of our six teams raises an additional $500, we have exceeded our goal!! Remember, people can't donate if you don't ask them...

How to raise $500 in 7 days:

1. Sponsor yourself first.

$25.00

2. Ask 4 family members to sponsor you for $25 each.

$100.00

3. Ask 6 coworkers to contribute $15 each.

$75.00

4. Ask 5 friends to contribute $20 each.

$100.00

5. Ask 6 neighbors to sponsor you for $15 each.

$75.00

6. Ask your boss for a company contribution of $50.

$50.00

7. Ask 3 businesses you frequent for a $25. donation.

$75.00

Please don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions. Thank you for being part of the LA County NAMIwalks!

Family-to-Family

We have some important dates coming up, so get ready to mark your calendars!


photo courtesy of freakpower

Family-to-Family classes

English Family-to-Family classes start Thursday, September 17, 2009, 7:00PM - 9:30PM. For more information about the English class, contact (661)951-4606.

Spanish Family-to-Family classes start Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 7:00PM - 9:30PM. Para más información sobre la clase española, contacto (661)533-0715 or (661)285-5397.

Both classes will be held at the Discovery Center, 1609 E. Palmdale Blvd., Ste. G, Palmdale, Ca 93550.

This a FREE series of 12 weekly classes structures to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well being. The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family member volunteers who know what it's like to have a loved one struggling with one of these brain disorders.

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NAMI AV Family-to-Family Reunion

NAMI Antelope Valley Family-to-Family Reunion! On September 26, 2009 at 2PM ALL former Family-to-Family graduates and those presently enrolled in classes are invited to spend an afternoon in the park to relax and meet other caregivers of individuals living with mental illness.

The Family reunion will take place at George Lane Park, 5520 W. Avenue L-8 in Quartz Hill. Look for the FtF signs. As we did last year, we ask that you bring a main course for yourself and a pot luck dish to share with others. Bring lawn chairs, games, etc. that would make your day more relaxing. We had a great time last year! We hope to see more of you this year! For more information and RSVP call (661)951-1757.

NAMI On the Airwaves!

Bob & Denise Boehlert along with Beth Arnold from NAMI San Fernando were featured on local talk radio show the Broad Perspective (AM 1380) last Friday morning talking about NAMI. They discussed how they came to find NAMI and the services and resources that NAMI offers. They answered some great questions from callers and discussed places to go for help.

Listen to the archived show here. (Duration: 00:50:02)

Thank you Vivian of the Broad Perspective and thank you High Desert Broadcasting!

Also:

El próximo mes comenzará NAMI AV el primero Familia-a-Familia clase en español! Siga revisando los detalles ...[Next month NAMI AV will start it's first Spanish language Family-to-Family class! Keep checking back for details…]

NAMIwalks - I walk because...

As we gear up for this year's Los Angeles County NAMIwalks, happening Saturday, October 3, 2009 I want set some goals for our affiliate for teams and fund raising. I challenge NAMI AV to have at least 5 teams and raise $5000.00!

We are still looking for sponsers, team captains, and most of all, WALKERS! If you would like to join a team or create one of your own, you can sign up online. If you or your business would like to sponser NAMI AV, perhaps be a kilometer sponser, honoring a love one, please contact Denise Boehlert by emailing president@namiav.org.

"I walk because" is the theme of this year's NAMIwalks. This is the first year NAMI Antelope Valley is participating and it is important to remember why we walk. Personally, I walk to raise funds for more NAMI programs and events in our community. I walk to raise awareness of mental health issues, especially right now as our nation struggles with health care reform. Most of all I walk to fight the stigma of mental illness for my friends and family.

Here are some of the NAMIwalks Walk Managers (including LA County's own Wayne Baldaro from Glendale NAMI) telling us why they walk:


Happy Friday!