Instructions on How to Write a
Successful Fundraising Letter
(Sample Letters included!)
One of the most powerful and effective ways to fight the stigma that surrounds serious
mental illness and to educate the public about the prevalence, cause and treatment of the
illness is telling your personal story of why you are involved in NAMI. Many of
misconceptions disappear when people talk about how a mental illness has affected
themselves, their family and their friends.
Patrick Corrigan, Professor of Psychiatry at the Illinois Institute of Technology is the
principal investigator at the Chicago Consortium for Stigma Research. Dr. Corrigan, a
leading authority on the stigma related to mental illness has stated in his findings that the
most effective method to combat these erroneous beliefs is to expose people directly to an
individual that is successfully coping with a serious mental illness, either directly or
through their support system of family and friends. It is this personal contact, according
to the Consortium’s research, that allows the public to see mental illness for what it is – a
disorder of the brain that strikes indiscriminately.
The foundation of the NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America is the process that
encourages NAMI members and supporters to write letters and send emails to everyone
in their personal and professional networks to educate them on mental illness and NAMI.
This personal communication also is the way to ask that the reader to join and/or support
the NAMIWALK in their community. It is through this letter and email campaign that
we can begin to have a meaningful impact on the stigma related to this issue and
successfully reach out to the segment of the community that could benefit from knowing
about NAMI programs.
The attached selection of letters is a sampling of the thousands and thousands stories told
each year in communities across the country. These letters were written by walkers to
their friends and colleagues as they do their part to:
•
To raise awareness about mental illness
•
To increase community education and reach out to new families and individuals
living with mental illness
•
To support local NAMI affiliates
•
To build a larger NAMI community
If you would like to use your letter to inspire others to collect funds like the samples
provided in this packet, please send it to your Walk Manager.
10 KEY STEPS IN A LETTER WRITING
OR EMAILING FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN
1. Write your letter/email. Say what you are doing and why you are doing it. Tell your
personal story and make it clear why supporting the NAMIWALKS For The Mind
of America walkathon is important to you and your family.
2. Mail/email it to family members, friends, co-workers and business associates (try
using your holiday card mailing list!) 3 to 10 weeks before the walkathon.
3.
Consider enclosing a copy of your walker pledge sheet with your personal pledge on
it so everyone knows that you are personally contributing to the cause you are asking
them to support.
4. State your personal and team fund-raising goals in your letter. The higher the better!
5. Include in your letter some information on the important work being done by NAMI.
6. Be sure to say that all donations are tax-deductible and that checks should be made
payable to NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness).
7. Also be sure to say that you would like the donation sent to you by the date of the
Walk so you can turn it in then. Enclose a return envelope if possible. (Donations
should be returned directly to you so you can keep track of your supporters and
personally thank everyone after the Walk.)
8. Remember to include on your mailing list any vendors, consultants and business
people with whom you or your spouse may work. These people tend to make larger
donations since they often will make them from their business checking account
rather than from a personal checking account.
9. Remember to send thank you notes after the Walk to everyone who sponsors you.
10. Remember that the more people you mail to, the more money you will raise for
NAMI and the support, education, advocacy and research programs it supports.
Dear
As the winter slowly recedes, Ruth & I wanted to let you lrnow how our life is going. Things are
changing in dramatic fashion. After 39 years of having children at home, we are now empty nesters. Our
youngest daughter, Beth, moved into transitional housing the first of February. As you know Beth has
suffered from mental illness for the past 6 years. It has been a difficult time for her and all who know and
love her. Since last April (her last hospitalization) she has been doing quite well, with the exception of
some temporary setbacks with the transitional housing. She worked at Marshall's in Newburyport with
the help of the Haverhill Clubhouse and is again enrolled in class at Northern Essex Community College
(NECCO). She is now on her own with the help of a great case manager.
These past years have been not only a trying experience but a learning one. One of the best
supports we obtained, was when we went to a NAMI sponsored class called "Family to Family". We
didn't realize that there was such a support group available.
So now that Beth is stable we wish to give something back. As members ofNAMI, we have
learned that there are literally thousands of people who do not know of or have access to the services and
support that we have discovered. Therefore, Ruth and I have decided that we will be Team Captains of
"Budda's Buddies"; a group who will be walking on May 22nd in the frrst annual NAMI walk for the
"Mind of America" in Boston along the Charles River. For those of you who have not been recently
acquainted with Beth, Budda is the name of her Norwegian long tailed rat. Budda is her "Baby".
The purpose ofthis walk is two-fold: one - to raise the awareness of the plight of the mentally ill
in our communities and across the country, and secondly to raise funds.
For those of you who are unaware NAMI (the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) is a nonprofit organization which strives to improve the lives of those touched by mental illness through
education, by fighting stigma, and by providing a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
We do believe NAMI will be one of the major driving forces to help improving the care mentally
ill people receive. "Recovery is understood as a process through which skills for living with mental illness
are acquired and deployed through varying phases of illness and wellness, regardless of age or diagnosis."
We are fully aware that there are many people much sicker than Beth, who have little or now family
support or outside support.
We invite you to join us in this happy occasion by joining us on May 22nd. For those of you who
would like to walk (It's only 3 miles with shortcuts available) but cannot contribute, we say, "Come on
down". For those who can't walk but can contribute we say "Thanks". 92+% of all moneys raised goes to
local programs. For every paid NAMI personnel there are over 1,000 volunteers who contribute time and
energy to keep this going. This is definitely a grassroots effort to reach and help those who are unable or
unaware of the resources available in their community. Please make checks payable to NAMI-Mass, and
mail them to us. We will turn them in before the walk. All donations are tax deductible.
Hope we hear ftom you soon.
Charlie & Ruth Lambert
6 Highland Ave
Newburyport, MA 01950
[email protected]
(NAMI Northwest
i!j
,.
@:
~I
~4
@:
~I
\
iff
WALK - 2003)
.b;:
~I ~.I
Dear Family and Friends,
Over the past couple of decades my family and I have persevered through the trials
and tribulations of an extremely pervasive, yet most often misunderstood illness to besiege
mankind - Mental Illness. My father, brother, and I have persisted through the dark,
desolate, debilitating depths of major depression, while my sister braves on through the
tormenting ravages of schizoaffective disorder.
We have each struggled through a disease that robbed us of our will to live and
distorted our cognition, compelling us to take our lives. We have each persisted through the
persistent societal stigma and pervasive misunderstandings about mental illness.
Together, we have endured through multiple hospitalizations, a slew of medications,
ECTs (Electro Convulsive Therapy), endless hours of therapy, and significant life style
changes. And, each of us has ultimately triumphed in coping with our illness. Over the
years, each of us has evolved into highly functional, contributing members of our families
and communities. However, without the unflinching faith and undying love of our mother, our
spouses and children, adequate medical care, and a lifetime's commitment to cope with our
respective mental illness, our' lives could have been greatly compromised.
It is through Education that we have found empowerment, through Advocacy that
we have actualized advancement, and through Support that we have secured the
sustenance required to overcome the challenges of living with mental illness.
Through our journeys and triumph in overcoming mental illness was born an
undeterred resolve that each of us in our family would evolve to be a "Guiding Light" to
dispel the darkness that shrouds mental illness.
While my family and I rejoice in our recovery, we are painfully aware of the persistent
stigma toward mental illness, the inadequacies of the mental health system, discriminatory
public policies, and the resultant hopelessness that entraps people with mental illness, and
endangers their lives.
In May 2003, thousands of concerned citizens will march together in thirteen
communities across America to raise money and awareness about our country's need for a
world-class treatment and recovery system for people with mental illness.
Please visit
www.namLorQ and experience the revolution!
On May 18, 2003, my sister and I will be joining thousands of walkers in Portland,
OR in the First Annual NAMI WALKS for the Mind of America. We invite you to be a
"Guiding Lights" and walk with us, sponsor us, or better yet recruit your own team of
walkers! The goal for my sister and I is to raise $5,000, and it is our privilege to inform you
that we are well on our way with having already raised $2,000. Attached is the information
pertaining to the Walk.
Your generous contributions are tax deductible (Federal Tax ID # 93-0875209) and,
please make it payable to NAMI Northwest WALK, and mail to:
Gayathri Ramprasad - NAMI Oregon
2620 Greenway Drive NE
Salem, OR 91301
Thank you for your kind support.
Gayathri Ramprasad
Wonderful fundraising letter from Paul Quinn
") remember when' was about fourteen years of age ... ' had the world by
the tail. 'was on the basketball team. My classmates were all my
friends. ) was enjoying life. That the way' thought it was supposed to be.
The world was there for me to grab and' was going to grab it."
"Flash forward about three or four years to a very disturbed young mc;in
who was suddenly hit with the delusions, paranoia and hallucinations that
accompany schizophrenia. My friends abandoned me. My life revolved
around hospitals, doctors, and a search for a proper diagnosis and the
medication that would allow me to function."
The writing above is from my brother Pat. He is now 38. With medication, support,
counseling and prayer, Pat has had a remarkable recovery from schizophrenia. He is
living independently in his own apartment and works to help others suffering from brain
disorders. He is a frequent speaker among groups of mental health professional,
consumers and family members, giving his perspective to living with and recovering
from mental illness.
One of the keys to Pat's recovery has been the support ofthe National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI). NAMI offers education, advocacy and support for people with brain
disorders (mental illnesses) and their families. NAMI has helped Pat secure the services
and support he needs to recover from his illness.
On May 5, I will again participate in the "NAMI Walks" event in downtown Columbus.
I willjoin several hundred people participating in this fundraising event benefiting
NAMI. Will you support me in my walk? NAMI is a 501c3 organization, so your
contribution is tax-deductible.
Please make contributions payable to NAMI.
Send it to me at 4315 Summitview Road, Dublin, OH 43016
or
Donate online at:
www.nami.org/namiwalks/ohlfranklin
Thank you.
Paul Quinn
614-256-0753
(NAMI New Hampshire - 2003 WALK)
Our dear friends and family,
Anyone receiving this letter knows what Sam and I (and Mindy) have been doing over the past ten
years. In fact, we've been SO involved that it has become our number # 1 topic of conversation. You
say "Whatcha been up to?", and we go the whole nine yards on Mental Illness. Small wonder that you
might have a slightly glazed look in your eye by the time we come to the end of our mantra!
It HAS been a rough ten years with Mindy and Mental Illness. And, each of you has been an absolute
ROCK (pardon the geologic pun) of support for us. Many times, Sam and I would have collapsed
without your understanding and love for us. We've learned a great deal about human suffering
through this experience. We've become more humble through this experience, and more grateful for
our GOOD fortune, of which there is much! And, we've shared a lot of sadness with many people,
friends and strangers alike, from mental illness to cancer. It has not been at all unusual for one of
you to say, in confidence and relief ''You know, I have a brother ..... " It has become pretty apparent to
us that mental illness strikes all over the place, and is a major, major problem in our society. Not only
for the ADAMS', but also for many of you, and many others!
You also probably know thatfor the last five years, Sam and I have been involved, then VERY involved
in National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI). We found out about it from a fellow-geologist whom we
had known for years, from Texas. One night, we wives were talking about family, and she was telling
me about their mentally ill son. I shrieked "OH, We have one of those too!" She told us about the
caring support system of NAMI, for families of mentally ill, and Sam and I got involved. First, we took
a course called Family to Family, 12 weeks curriculum taught by trained family members to family
members, to help everyone learn how to live with a pretty difficult situation, and yet still take care of
our own lives. Then Sam and I became the trained teachers, and taught the course in Littleton, NH.
Then we became Board members for NAMI NH, and very most recently, Sam has become the
president of our NAMI NH State chapter.
Well, wanting to have an identity of my own, I found myself agreeing to become the Events
Coordinator of NAMI's NH WALKATHON! First-ever significant fund-raising, stigma busting event for
mental illness. The WALK is being piloted in 12 states and is a NAMI national project. NAMI National
is guiding me through the process of setting up a major walk, in Manchester, on Sunday, May 18. It's
confusing, and exciting!
Most exciting is that the money we raise from this walk will stay in NH, with only a small amount to be
directed to NAMI National for administrative assistance .. We will be able to start new programs in NH
(like our Family to Family), and pursue research and recovery programs.
So, "What have we been up to?" Sam and I will be putting together a 'family' team of walkers and
supporters, called MINDY'S MIRACLES, who would help us raise this money for !'JAMI NH This is a
5 K walk (NOT RUN). We hope to have 50-60 friends and family walking with us. We will be wearing
bright team T shirts, designed by nephew Jeff Martel of 00 Design. The other family teams will be
wearing their own verSion of T shirt, so it should be a colorful event! We'll sing and holler and make a
lot of noise, and have a lot of fun!
We wish each and every one of you could join us. Obviously, many of you are too far away. If you can
walk with us, bring your own friends and family. Raise money from your own friends and family who
do cannot walk with us. (You can see it is kinda a pyramid effect!). There is no set amount, no
amount per mile. Just MONEY; a check made out to 'NAMI NH, and sent to us. We obviously would
love to have your support in person, but will know that your hearts are with us from your generosity!
Sam & Nancy Adams
(NAMI Delaware
- 2004 WALK)
Dear Friends,
We're putting out an S.O.S.
Our S.O.S. is to ask you to join us and hundreds of other Delawareans on the
morning of Saturday, May 10th as we walk to Stamp Out the Stigma of mental illness. We
are putting together a team of walkers who will join our S.O.S. team and help raise money
for NAMI-DE (AMID). (It is a short walk, only two miles!)
Our parent organization, the National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI), has chosen
Delaware as one of twelve states to be the initial sites for what we hope will grow to be a
major nationwide annual event. Its goal is to eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness
and to raise much needed funds to enable NAMI and its state affiliates to provide the
education, support, advocacy and other services that are the heart and soul of the NAMI
movement.
Most of you know why we are involved with NAMI-DE. Years ago, our son Steven
was diagnosed with a major mental illness - schizophrenia - and we were involuntarily
thrust into an arena that is a virtual unknown to most who are not themselves a victim of
such an illness, or trying to help a family member or friend who is. We quickly found that
services and opportunities (schooling, medical, insurance, housing, employment, social and
so on) for those with a mental illness were a far cry from those suffering from illnesses
affecting body parts other than the brain. We also learned how the toughest nut to crackarguably the prime reason for this inequality - is the STIGMA that still surrounds the very .
mention of mental illness. To cut a long story short, we were asked (and finally agreed!) to
start a state affiliate to NAMI in 1983 and quickly found out how many others there were like
us, who thought they were alone in the struggle to find help and a meaningful life for their ill
loved one(s). NAMI-DE has come a long way in the past 20 years and has blessed us and
many others. We have an office and a wonderful professional staff and voluntary Board
who are committed to helping improve the quality of life for Delaware's long-term mentally ill
population. Much progress has been made, but it hasn't come easily and there is still much
to be done and many yet to be helped, both in Delaware and across the nation. Needless to
say, like everything else, the work can only continue with the necessary financial and human
resources!
Ways you can join us:
1. You can join our team - called the S.O.S. Team - and get donors to sponsor you as
you walk with us. You can also enlist others to become team members and "walk
the walk" with us.
2. Form your own team (and create your own team name) and join us on the 10th.
3. If you cannot walk on May 10th, you can make a donation on your own and/or solicit
funds from family, friends or neighbors.
Please consider joining us if you can! We believe it will be an enjoyable day. In any
event, any contribution you can make, large or small, will be greatly appreciated. Donations
to NAMI-DE are tax-deductible. You can call us at (302) 478-3302.
Thank you so much for your consideration and support - and God bless!
Jill and Simon Shute
(NAMI Southwest Louisiana - 2003 WALK)
March 23,2003
"*
*
'*
"* "*
fOR THE mum Of flmERlCfl
To my family and friends:
I am writing this letter with the help of my family to tell you about a project we are involved
in. It is called "HAMI WALKS for the Mind of America" an awareness! fund raising
walkathon for Mental Illness.
Our involvement with NAMI began in 1995 when I returned home from serving 3 years in the
US Navy. I enrolled at our local university and began experiencing depression and other
symptoms that neither I nor my family knew how to handle. I struggled as the symptoms got
worse. With much counseling and psychological testing, I was eventually diagnosed with
Schizophrenia. I was 26 at that time and too old to be covered under my parents insurance
so I had to depend on the state system for my care. My parents could not get any
information about my illness from the professionals without my permission and I was too ill
to give permission. I could not understand that my parents were trying to help me. My
mother did what she always does and began searching for answers at our local university.
She looked for any information she could find on mental illness and support groups. There
in the back of a medical journal she found the organization called NAMI, the National
Alliance for the Mentally III. After getting in touch with them, she was given the name of a
local contact person ... There began my parents' involvement in NAMI SWLA. My parents
tell me how caring and supportive the families in the local support group were. Through
their monthly meetings, education classes and experiences, my parents received
tremendous help in dealing with my illness. Today my mother is president of NAMI SWLA
and has been for the last 4 years. My Dad has given up 1!3 of his office space to allow
NAMI SWLA to have a home of it own. (live on my own, take part in a day program with
Volunteers of America, and volunteer at our church and the NAMI SWLA office. I am
attempting to get a part-time job and hope to eventually work full time.
Our experiences
are not unique since 1 out of every 4 people nation wide is diagnosed with metal illnesses.
NAMI has provided help and services to thousands of people and their families since it was
as founded in 1979. Our family joumey has not been easy, but with the help of NAMI the
journey has been easier.
The common message of NAMI is support, education, advocacy and research. NAMI
SWLA services are free of charge. It is a total volunteer organization.
NAMI helps in many
ways:
o It provides support to persons with serious brain disorders and to their families
o It advocates for nondiscriminatory policies
o It advocates for improved opportunities for housing, rehabilitation and meaningful
jobs
o It supports research
o It supports education programs designed to help educate and remove stigma
surrounding severe mental illness.
I am so thankful that my parents got involved with NAMI. It has helped them to understand
my illness so they could better help me. And you can help also. On May 24, 2003 the first
ever NAMI WALKS for the Mind of America walkathon {3.1 miles) will be held on the Lake
Page I of I
I11III
To ..•
~c•••
~cc.••
Subject:
Attachments:
Personal Request
From: Karen Riccio [mailto:karenriccio@sbcgloba\.net]
Sent: Thu 6/7/2007 10:23 PM
To: Julie Furj
Subject: Personal Request
My sister suffered from bipolar disease, and ended up committing suicide. It has been a little over a
year now. She set up paperwork ahead of time, advance directives, so I would be able to hospitalize
her, should she become manic again. The system failed her, the advance directives were not honored,
and the result, after many, many months of suffering, my sister killed herself. My mother and I are
trying to raise money for NAMI, Franklin County, The National Alliance for the Mentally TIl.Please
consider going to our Riccio Racers' website and make a secure online donation,
http://www .nami. org/tem plate. cfm?
https://namimail.nami.org/exchange/byoung/Drafts/FW
:%20personal %20fund%20rai sing% ... 6/8/2007
(NAMI Los Angeles, CA - 2005 WALK)
Dear Friends, Family, and Associates:
I am asking for your help in a cause I feel is too important to let shame, stigma, or embarrassment
keep me from writing this letter. On October 1,2005, I will again be walking in: NAMI WALKS for the
MIND OF AMERICA, NAMI stands for the National Alliance on the Mentally III, a non-profit
organization for which I currently volunteer as President of the San Fernando Valley affiliate,
President of the NAMI Los Angeles County Coordinating Council, and a teacher in the NAMI Family-to
Family program.
For those of you who remember from last year, I ran into my brother after not seeing him for 25
years. He has been on and off the street during that time, suffering from schizophrenia. It was a
miracle that by mere chance I ran into him again, standing outside a 7-11. It was also a miracle that
I had become a Family to Family trainer for NAMI, teaching other family members how to deal with
their loved ones who suffer from a psychiatric disability. In short, when the opportunity of seeing my
brother again presented itself, I knew what to do. This knowledge Was gained through my
experience in NAMI. He is now living in a Board and Care at the VA and is improving every day.
But it doesn't stop there. My sister came to my door about six weeks ago at 10 o'clock at night. I've
seen her maybe twice in the past 10 years. She has lived that entire time on the street. In the past,
I told her she had to take medication before I would ever take in. Now, seeing her on my doorstep, I
invited her to stay.
But she had a limp.
I asked her what was wrong and she said 'nothing.'
She had a wristband with a telephone number to a hospital. I called the hospital and they told me
she had gangrene in her foot, that the police were looking for her because she left the hospital, that
she needed to go to the emergency room. My sister refused to go the hospital. I contacted the
county officials who arranged to come by and take her away to the county hospital.
This was a horrible experience for everyone involved. But my NAMI support group reminded me that
it was much better than letting her return to the street and possibly lose her leg or die.
A couple of weeks ago, she had part of her foot amputated.
These kinds of horror stories are preventable.
NAMI acts as a strong advocate to change the laws to
get better treatment for people with a mental illness. They help families be a better support to their
loved ones. NAMI educates both consumers and families about mental illness. They help train law
enforcement and health care providers to be more sensitive to the needs of people suffering from a
psychiatric disability. It's a great organization and I'm asking you to donate to help us do more.
Please go to www.nami.ora/namiwalks05/LOS/iimbo
and give. Through the many programs that
NAMI provides, you will help countless people who are affected by mental illness.
I'm asking my friends to forward this email.
[email protected]
All the best,
Jim (Randall)
If you wish to contact me personally, please email me
Dear friends and family,
It's that time of year again - NAMI Walks time! Most of you know what that means but for my
new friends, I will eXplain why this time of year is so very important to me.
I have worked for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) since 2004 when someone told
me that mental illnesses were basically a figment of the imagination. A sign of weakness.
The first person that referred to a brain disorder as a sign of weakness took me by surprise. The
second person that said, "mental illness is a sign of weakness" really made me start to think about
the possibility that they could right. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth people who said, "mental
illness is a sign of weakness" just pissed me off!
Here I am, a young woman with two scarred legs from playing ice hockey who graduated from
one of the finest military universities in the world (Go Norwich!) -weakness is not an issue for
me. Yet, I have been diagnosed with a brain disorder (Borderline Personality Disorder) and I
have tried to commit suicide on more than one occasion (Although I'm proud to say not for the
last four years) I guess that makes me living proof that disorders of the brain are no different than
disorders ofthe heart, liver or kidney. So why, then, is heart disease not considered a weakness?
Why do insurance companies pay, unconditionally, for treatment of disorders of any organ except
for the brain? Why is it not shameful to say that you have cancer or diabetes but others gasp at
another's admission of major depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder?
Don't worry, that wasn't a trick question. There shouldn't be a reason and, in reality, there isn't.
The problem is simply that there are so many misconceptions about mental illnesses that our
discomfort has left people like myself, who battle brain disorders every day, alone. Alone to
stand against government, insurance companies, employers and sometimes even friends and
family (although not me - you guys are great!)
I participate in this walk every May to raise money for awareness that changes policies that
control my life, my sanity, my health, my productivity, and my happiness. Further, it's my way
of proving that it's okay to admit that you suffer from a potentially debilitating brain disorder,
(That's why I sent this to everyone in my "inbox" because we can't expect the public to do
something that we are afraid of doing ourselves)
I know we all work hard for our money but I am asking you, my friend, to skip a night on the
town ($100), dinner & a movie ($50,) a round of drinks ($25,) a run through the Burger King
drive thru ($10,) Taco Bell's "4th Meal" ($5,) or even a bottle of overpriced water ($1) to support
this important cause.
My goal is to raise $2000 this year of which $200 will be my personal donation. All donations
are tax deductible. Make checks payable to NAMI and mail to:
Elizabeth Potskowski, 26 7th Cavalry Road, Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027. Better yet click here
and make a secure online donation using your debit or credit card.
vVww ,nami. org/namiwalks07 /KAN/liz
I urge you to act now! Don't worry about trying to find an excuse not to make this donationthere isn't one.
Thank you in advance for your generous support,
Liz
n
.•* * * "*
lKS
fOR THE mum Of
"mERltft
:May 1} 2004
(j)ear (friemf s name)
.lIs you might reca{{from ear{ier conversations} my Grotlier XJnneth was a 6-ri{{iant
student and' a very accomp{isliea musician wlien lie Gecame i{{ with schizophrenia as a Junior at
V:Nc. This tragecfy a{terea a{{ our fives} and'if tliere is gooa in such saaness} ies partCy Gecause
of organizations such as tlie :Nationa{ .lI{{iance for tlie 9v1enta{CyI{[ .lIs you Ilnow} my
invo{vement with :N.lI9v11:North CaroEina continues to evo{ve} and' lam committea to making
:North Carofina a Getter prace for peopCe with Grain aisonfers. I was recentCy insta{Cea as
Presicfent of tlie :N.lI9v1I-:NCrBoara of (])irectors) a responsiGifity that I find' aaunting Gut am
wi{fing to accept on Gehalf of my Grother and'thousand's of others filig him in our state.
:N.lI9v11Wa{RJ for tlie :Jvtind'of .lImerica is coming up 9v1ay 15 in Charlotte} and'I am
preparing for tlie 51( wa{llas Team Captain of tlie 'lVnneth (jarriss pamiCy Team. This is a
nationwicfe fund'raising and' menta{ liea{th awareness campaign that wi{{ Ge lieU in Coca{
communities across the nation auring tlie month of9v1ay) which is 9v1enta{ I{{ness Awareness
:Jvtonth (:JvtI.Jl).9v1ysiste0 Phy{{is and'I areforming a team to honor XJnneth} and' are asking for
support from famiCy and'friend's.
you Jee{ you can contriGute to tlie mission of :N.lI9v11:North
Carofina} and'my mission to malig our state a Getter prace for fo{RJ filig 'lVnneth}
wi{{ 6e most
if
1
grateful for your support. CYoumay malig cliecllpaya6Ce to :N.lI:JvtI-:NC. I am encCosing a selfaaaressea enve {opefor your convenience.
I hope you are Cookingforwara to afun and'reCaJ;jng summe0 and'that
trip one way ortlie other. WouUCove to see you again!
With much gratitutfe}
rBeth
dJim Warcfy
we can scliecfufe a
June 12, 2007
Dear Blair,
I am writing you today to tell you about an upcoming event that I am participating in that is both
very important and very exciting to me. It is NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America, NAMI’s
signature walkathon event that is being held in Chicago at Grant Park on September 23, 2007.
I’ve formed a team called “Chicago Knows Blues” and I’m hoping that you can help me raise
awareness about mental illness and much needed funds for NAMI programs. There are so many reasons
why I am devoted to this cause, but here’s one example of why I work so passionately for
NAMIWALKS:
Sonny is an old man who I see in my DC neighborhood from time to time. He’s got a warm
smile and worn leathery skin. He walks with a crutch and carries his belongings on his back. I usually
see him sitting in his favorite spot on the steps of the Catholic grade school. Sometimes, I take him a
bottle of water and a snack on my way back from the convenience store. He always rewards me with a
smile.
I’ve often suspected that Sonny has a mental illness which leads me to wondering a lot of things.
How long has he lived on the street? Where’s he at when he is not around the neighborhood? Has he
ever been incarcerated? Has he ever spent time in a psychiatric hospital? Is he estranged from his
family? All of these things are possible for someone with a severe mental illness who does not receive
adequate care.
It’s easy to think that Sonny lives on the street because he’s stubborn and refuses treatment, but
in reality many persons with a severe mental illness lack the insight to realize that they are sick and need
help. Think about it. If someone has hallucinations and paranoia it’s not hard to believe that they might
not be able to see the reality of their own illness. NAMI advocates for people like Sonny by helping to
educate families about the treatment options available and coaches them in how to help someone accept
treatment. I often think of a quotation that I read in the Washington Post back in 2002:
“We wouldn’t let our 80-year old mother with Alzheimer’s live on a grate. Why is it all right
for a 30-year-old daughter with schizophrenia?”
I would like to ask you to come and walk with me or to donate to support my participation in
this event. Visit my page to sign up: www.nami.org/namiwalks07/GCH/blues. You can also click on
my name to go to my personal walker page to donate in support of me online.
Donating online is fast and secure, and I'll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation.
Please save that e-mail notification to use as your receipt. NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity and any donation
you make to support my participation in this event is tax deductible.
Thank you in advance for your support. I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Erin