Local members of Modern Woodmen of America (MWA) are taking action to keep brain health top of mind for the Quad Cities community by recognizing the work of NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, MWA members will honor NAMI and its more than 60 dedicated volunteers with a special “Hometown Heroes” picnic at Veterans Memorial Park, Bettendorf. The Rock Island-based fraternal benefit society is hosting the event to recognize NAMI’s positive impact on spreading awareness of brain and mental health.
“The NAMI fundraiser event is a local example of a year-long initiative,” said Sharon Snawerdt, MWA’s corporate communications manager. “Modern Woodmen’s nationwide Brain Health: Keep It Top of Mind initiative encourages members to participate in service, educational and fundraising activities that help raise awareness of brain and mental health in their communities.”
Past Modern Woodmen quarterly efforts this year included: donating kindness kits in February; educating members and the community in May; and raising funds for organizations or individuals in need in August. The Hometown Heroes celebration will honor all those who raise awareness of brain health.
NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley is part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans who are affected by mental illness.
The Quad Cities organization has been a NAMI affiliate for 43 years and provides free, nationally developed educational and support programs to people living with a mental health condition as well as their family members and caregivers.
NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley serves residents across the bi-state region including Scott, Jackson, Clinton, Muscatine and Cedar counties in Iowa; and Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties in Illinois.
For more information, visit www.namigmv.org.
