The local Quad Cities chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is holding its 21st annual NAMIWalks event to celebrate mental health recovery, let the community know that they are not alone, and remember those lost to suicide.
The walk will be held in East Moline, Illinois on September 28th at the Bend XPO Amphitheatre. There is no registration fee, but fundraising and donations are encouraged, with all proceeds going toward supporting NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley and the resources they provide to the community. Pre-walk activities begin at 8 a.m., and the walk starts at 9:30 a.m.
“What NAMI does is, we provide free, nationally developed education and support group programs for people who are living with a mental health condition, and just as importantly, their families and friends,” said Lori Leipold, the Development Director for NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley. “We help people learn how to best support their loved ones on their journey to recovery from a mental health condition.”
The NAMIWalk event is a 5K, with the route being three laps around the Bend XPO Park. However, attendees have the choice to go around the park just once or twice. After each lap, the runners or walkers will get a beaded necklace to reward their progress.
On the route, there will be performances from musicians, the United Township High School cheerleaders, a bagpiper, therapy dogs and so much more.
Those wanting to sign up are encouraged to fundraise. Leipold states, “Some people raise thousands of dollars, some people raise fifty dollars. It really doesn’t matter. Every dollar counts.”
NAMIWalks is the Quad Cities’ largest mental health awareness and advocacy event, and it is NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley’s largest fundraising event of the year.
“It’s our largest source of unrestricted funding for our programs, our education and support group programs that are always free,” said Leipold. “We never charge anything, but of course, it costs money to put the programs on. So, what the walk does is keep those programs going, and it allows us to expand our programs and offer them to more people.”
To register for the walk, head to namiwalks.org/greatermississippivalley.
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