The Augusta chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is readying for its fourth annual NAMI Walks event at Grovetown’s Gateway Park.
The nonprofit holds the guided mile-long walk each year to raise money and support its mission: to promote awareness of, and provide resources for, mental health.
“NAMI is all about raising awareness and advocating mental health, but also to reach out to local judges as well as politicians to make and to ensure that the proper protocols are being held in place specifically for law enforcement,” said Reed McDow, who is coordinating NAMI Walks for his second year. “When people are in crisis, in highly escalated situations, there is a procedure that should be put in place for police officers to be able to handle the situations appropriately.”
Some 30 mental health peers — trained members of NAMI’s support groups for those dealing with long-term mental health issues are slated to be present. Attendees who walk the mile can expect to encounter markers every few feet along the path with inspiring or educational messages.
“Every year we try to give a little bit back to our peer support, just because that is a big reason why we really are passionate about continuing to do this journey,” McDow said. “It’s not just for people like you and me, but people that have suffered and need a little bit more help than others.”
As it does each year, the event will feature presentations by medical professionals and educators — such as those from the Dental College of Georgia on dental hygiene and health — alongside food trucks and even a DJ from Bass Fusion Entertainment. Some 20% of the proceeds from food vendors will go towards NAMI Walks.
Visitors can also participate in a raffle contest as part of NAMI Walks’ fundraiser, to potentially win a gift bundle that includes two Miller Theater tickets, gift certificates to local restaurants, a basket of high end hair products and a ShoreShade Elite Beach Bundle.
This year’s fundraising goal is $5,000, half of which has already been donated by Cardboard Castle Games, who hosted another event for the NAMI chapter in May and has been a regular supporter since 2018,
To ensure there’s enough food to go around, those who plan on attending are encouraged to register for event at its website.
Business owners interested at vending at NAMI Walks Augusta may contact McDow at reed@innovationv.com by Sept. 12.
NAMI Walks Augusta will be at Gateway Park in Grovetown on Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
