Notes on Gratitude

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It's also the month when NAMI Ventura County hosts its annual walk to raise money to support our programs and services. You're probably sick of seeing me write about it and solicit money for it, but I wanted to take a minute here to say, "thank you." I couldn't have hit my mark without the support of every one of you. 

All of us get pulled in different directions by many cherished organizations seeking donations. I support several of them myself, groups that aid vets, homelessness, children, animals, and the sanctity of a woman's body. This work is important. Equally important is the work we do every day at NAMI to educate, raise awareness, and advocate for person's living with mental illness and the family members and friends who support them. Our classes, support groups, and presentations are free to the public. The walk is our primary source for raising money to accomplish this mission.

On April 25, as we skidded into the home stretch, I started a good-natured yet hard-driving campaign on Facebook to grasp first place in the individual earning category. I had a long way to go to reach the lofty goal of $3,000 that I'd set for myself. Frankly, I didn't think I was going to make it.

Thanks to all of you, I did. To you who heeded my call via email or Facebook post, I am very grateful. I earned an astounding $3,340. Not only did you help me achieve my monetary goal, you also satisfied my competitive streak. Thank you, again! 

I must say, I sure enjoyed my brief stint at the top. 

The day of the walk arrived. The weather was cold, windy, and rainy, but we didn't let that stop us. Neither did it stop the hundreds of people who turned out to enjoy a beautiful seaside stroll along the boardwalk. There was music, laughter, and fun shared by all who attended. (If I accosted you with a lollipop and flyer for our next endeavor (see below), I apologize.)  

The walk day dust has not yet fully settled, but I'm happy to report I've been knocked off my perch. Second place is looking pretty darn good. And courtesy of this funding, I hope to soon be sharing information with you about a brand new program we’ll be implementing here in our county. Stay tuned.    

If you'd like to watch the drone video of walk day, you can do so here.

Also, be on the lookout in the weeks and months to come for more information about NAMI Ventura County's first ever fundraising night at the theater. We are already hard at work with the Newbury Park High School Drama Club to bring an uplifting night of entertainment for the whole family to you on October 21, 2017. Save the date! You won't want to miss the fun. Or the catered food!  

You can check out NAMI Ventura County here.    

***If you meant to donate and forgot or didn't have time, never fear. We are accepting donations through the end of June. Click here if you can help us reach our affiliate goal, which we set at $175,000. We're $38,775 short as of this writing.***