The National Alliance on Mental Illness, known locally as NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley, will host its largest annual fundraiser and the Quad Cities’ biggest mental health advocacy and awareness event, NAMIWalks Greater Mississippi Valley, on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Bend XPO amphitheater, 922 Mississippi Parkway, East Moline.
The 20th annual event raises funds to support NAMI’s free educational programs, power its advocacy efforts and strengthen its outreach in the Quad Cities region, according to a news release. The walk also celebrates mental health recovery, lets community members know they are not alone and honors the memory of loved ones lost to suicide.
“This is a new, uncharted time for mental health care. We must recognize the significant impact that current events are placing on our mental wellness,” NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley Executive Director Angela Gallagher said in the release.
“Our friends, family and neighbors can afford nothing less than mental health for all,” she added.
To participate, visit the website. While registration is free, participants are encouraged to fundraise. Those who raise at least $100 will receive an event T-shirt.
All of the proceeds will stay local, supporting NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley’s free mental health programs, resources and services to people in the QC area.
Major sponsors for this year’s walk include: Malik & K Khaliq and Family (Presenting); KWQC-TV (Media); Double Good Virtual Fundraising (Premier); Advance Homes, Inc. (Gold); Genesis Health System (Gold); Lundbeck (Gold); Sears Seating (Gold); SSAB (Gold); UnitedHealthcare (Gold); UnityPoint Health – Robert Young Center (Gold); and UnityPoint Health – Trinity (Gold).
NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, serves residents of Scott, Clinton, Muscatine, Jackson and Cedar counties in eastern Iowa, and Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties in western Illinois. For more information, visit the organization’s website.
