Join Our 2013 NAMIWalk Event!  

  

When: Saturday, October 12, 2013 - 8:30 AM registration, 10:00 AM walk
Where: Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave, Hamilton, OH 45011

Are you registered for the 2013 NAMIWalk?  Register today at NAMIWalks Butler County to walk as an individual or register as a Team Captain!  It is not too late!  Help us reach our goal of 500 walkers and $50,000.  Any walker raising over $100 will receive a free NAMIWalks T-shirt.  Additionally, any walker that raises over $1,000 in individual (non-corporate) money will be entered into a drawing to win two free Southwest Airlines ticket vouchers good for 1 round-trip anywhere Southwest flies!

Outstanding Provider of the Year Nominations 

NAMI Butler County is committed to encouraging excellent mental health care in this county. One of the ways we do this is by honoring an outstanding service provider each year at our Annual Awards Dinner in November. This person is chosen from hundreds of service providers in the county who give of their time and their talents to serve our loved ones through direct services. They are the doctors and nurses, therapists, program managers, case managers, job coaches etc. whom our loved ones come into contact with regularly or during crisis. They work in the agencies, the hospitals and the courts.

This year, NAMI is reaching out to our members and supporters for nominations. If there is someone who has worked with you or your loved one who you believe deserves this award, please consider submitting his or her name. We will need the person's name, job position, place of employment, and a one page written description of the attributes that led you to nominate this person. Nominations can be submitted to info@nami-bc.org from now until October 22, 2013. The final decision for the Provider of the Year will be made by the NAMI Butler County Board of Directors and staff. If your candidate is chosen, your description will be read at the Awards Dinner when the awardee is announced.

We hope that many of you will take this opportunity to recognize direct service providers who go above and beyond to provide outstanding care for our loved ones.

Upcoming Education Meeting Speakers:

Join us for our free Education Meetings the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM.  Meetings are held at the Mental Health Board office located at 5963 Boymel Drive in Fairfield.  All are welcome! 

November 21st: Kara Rolfes, PharmD, RPh, Healing Springs Pharmacy    

Winter Health Tips   

Kara Rolfes with Healing Springs Pharmacy in Hamilton will share health and wellness tips for the winter season. She will also share about their pharmacy model which includes community relationships of patient, pharmacist, and physician to realize a better outcome for the patient's health and wellness.  They strive to offer old-fashioned personalized service from an independent pharmacy.  

December 19th:   NO MEETING - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Walking the Path of Advocacy  

NAMIWalks, a premier event for our organization, is a major fundraiser and attracts the greatest number of community participants in support of educational and advocacy efforts for mental health. Fundraising from the Walk enables NAMI Butler County to continue and expand outreach efforts to the community through informative presentations, regular support group gatherings, family-oriented educational classes and enlightening monthly educational meetings for the community. Volunteer efforts are essential in guaranteeing the success of our outreach and educational objectives.

 Volunteers turn out every year to assist with set-up, decorations, refreshments, entertainment, registration and an array of other necessary activities the day of the Walk. While we are extremely grateful for all dedicated volunteer efforts, it was not possible in the scope of this article to speak to everyone who contributes to the success of our annual Walk days; however, I was able to gain insight into the participation and experience of two individuals who have been long time volunteers.

Maxine Apke has been a Walk team captain for four years, using her friends and connections in the community to build teams each year. A retired teacher and long time Fairfield resident, Maxine reaches out to former students and local small businesses with which she is in continuous contact. She encourages her team members to connect with their circle of friends, associates, co-workers and family members during their donation gathering as well. Maxine also writes individualized letters to potential donors, sharing her story with them and personalizing the real effects of living with mental illness.

 With each year's participation as a team captain, Maxine has become increasingly involved in other volunteer opportunities. She initiated an amazing program called Transformations through Art which engages individuals in creative ways to express their feelings through therapeutic artwork. Additionally, Maxine is a support group facilitator for the peer-to-peer NAMI Connection group, a trained teacher of our NAMI Basics class and a current board member. Last year she was named NAMI Butler County's Volunteer of the Year.

Maxine realizes a greater degree of fulfillment as she increases her involvement, and she recognizes more value in NAMI's mission as she engages in a variety of volunteer opportunities. She feels enabled to use her experience as a coach and teacher and experiences the benefit of helping NAMI fulfill its mission. Lastly, Maxine proclaims her volunteer experience to be a significant boost in living with her own depression.

Another long-time volunteer, Suzan Stracke, admits she felt uncomfortable during her initial Walk involvement. Asking for donations did not come naturally to her. She began by connecting with a small, familiar group of individuals who willingly assisted her efforts. As she met with successes, Suzan's confidence grew. She recommends communicating about the Walk in church and other community organizations, sharing information through bulletins and announcements. Suzan is a proponent for using letters or emails to share personal stories. People identify with personal messages as they seem to open the lines of communication.

Suzan's involvement with the Walk has evolved into her becoming an ambassador for NAMI and its mission. She participates in outreach to families in the community throughout the year, nurturing awareness about our annual Walk. This year, she initiated a letter writing campaign to area churches. Using personal life interests to connect with the community and educate and advocate for NAMI helps to establish communication with others. Suzan views her involvement with the Walk and other NAMI activities as a lifelong journey of learning and sharing. Her involvement in the Walk and as a NAMI advocate has blossomed, for her, into a rewarding journey through connections with the mental health community and others who benefit from the message of advocacy. Suzan recently retired from our board.

Clearly, Maxine and Suzan established their path in mental health advocacy through tapping into lifelong personal interests. Maxine uses her art and Suzan uses her writing skills to advance their efforts as NAMI advocates.

Another advocate for NAMI who has been involved with our Walk for several years is Lewis Kruger. He has devoted countless hours to building display boards for the Walk and other outside NAMI events, as well as leading our "set-up" team to ensure that all necessary equipment and signage are operational and in place the morning of the Walk.

Many thanks to the efforts of these three named volunteers and all the rest of you who contribute your time and effort to shine an amazing light for successful Walk events and continuing to grow community awareness. Let's continue our dedicated work for the advocacy of mental health!

Book Reviews

Taylor's Gift

by Todd and Tara Storch

The faith of a middle class Texas family is tested when they lose their 13 year old daughter Taylor to a freak skiing accident in Colorado. Taylor was a popular middle school student involved in volleyball and cheerleading when she lost her life after she plunged headfirst into a tree after learning to ski. Though Taylor's mom, Tara, had two other children she was grief stricken and could hardly function after her death. She started taking anxiety medication and couldn't get out of bed or shower. Taylor's father fared better as he threw himself into starting "Taylor's Gift" a foundation to increase awareness of organ donation. With the help of supportive family members and friends Tara eventually recovered and took an active part in "Taylor's Gift." The Storches received national attention after Taylor's death and the start of their foundation and even appeared on the "Today" show. They still live in Texas and are raising their other two children.

My Rating:

Membership Update 

 We currently have 104 members as of September 26, 2013 and 865 people who receive our email communications. Remember, however, that your NAMI membership is a one-year membership, and therefore needs to be renewed each year. Please don't forget to renew your membership before it expires!  

Sign Up or Renew Online click "add to cart" and pay with PayPal!

Annual Membership Dues:

Individual ...........................................................................$35.00

Each Additional Household Member..............................$10.00

Open Door (Hardship cases).............................................$3.00