MCKEESPORT, PA (November 16, 2007) – On October 7th, employees, family members and service recipients from Mon Yough Community Services participated in the annual 5K NAMI Walk. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) hosts a series of walks across the country, and this year’s walk for Southwestern Pennsylvania was held on the South Side with a fundraising goal of $50,000. Enthusiastic walkers and generous donors helped to double this number with a grand fundraising total of $103,988.70.
Co-captains Colleen Assenti, JoAnn Pratt and Jim Wyler representing Vocational Services led the MYCS team, volunteering their time to recruit 36 walkers. With a starting goal of $2,000, Mon Yough walkers exceeded their goal, and raised a total of $2,435.70. This was the first year Mon Yough created a team for the Walk, and received a positive response from all participants.
”It was a very upbeat day, and people were excited to raise money for a good cause. There was a sense of camaraderie and unity among all of the walkers, including the Mon Yough team,” said Jim Wyler, NAMI Walk co-captain and Manager of Vocational Services. Approximately 1,300 walkers enjoyed the sunshine and views from the South Side Heritage Trail, and joined together to raise awareness of the stigmas surrounding mental illness, and the need to build a world-class recovery system.
Groups and individuals raised money by creating personal NAMI Walk participant pages via the Internet. Donors could view the walkers’ personal monetary goals, make online contributions, and leave participants encouraging messages. Many MYCS walkers exceeded their personal fundraising goals, and greatly contributed toward the overall goal of the team.
About NAMIWALKS: In 2007, thousands of concerned citizens in more than 70 communities across the nation will join the Campaign for the Mind of America and walk together to raise money and awareness about our country's need for a world-class treatment and recovery system for people with mental illness.
Online donations can be made until December 6th. Interested donors should go to MYCS’ team page and click on an individual walker to make a donation.
MYCS fosters hope, renewal, healing, and wellness for those in McKeesport and surrounding communities facing the challenges of mental health, substance abuse disorders, and developmental disabilities. MYCS focuses on rehabilitation, recovery, and quality of life in its mission to help individuals, families and the community at large get better.
For more information, contact Noreen Fredrick of MYCS at 412-647-3555.
