NAMIWalks NYC in the News!

We are happy to announce that your amazing efforts for NAMIWalks NYC 2011 were covered by the media!

• NY1 was at South Street Seaport at 8:00 am Saturday morning to tape a live segment about The Walk. The piece was updated and aired all day long.
• The Wall Street Journal featured our board member Nathan Romano in the "Donor of the Day" column for Saturday. Click here to read about the significance of NAMIWalks NYC and how you all played a vital role in the success!
• The New York Nonprofit Press covered The Walk in this article.

Thank you for turning out in such huge numbers and helping us raise our voices about mental illness!

Success!

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work and dedication to NAMIWalks NYC 2011. On Saturday, we stood 4,000-strong to stomp out stigma of mental illness. The sun was shining as we spread our message of hope and recovery! Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the cause. We couldn't do it without you! Gratefully, Sarah, Ariel and the rest of the NAMI-NYC Metro Staff

You all did an incredible job fundraising online for NAMIWalks NYC. To date we have raised $326,600.99- 92% of our $350,000 goal. If everyone is able to raise just $16 more we will get there!

Send one last email letting everyone know that you were part of NAMIWalks NYC 2011 and give an update on your progress.

Include a picture of you or your team from Walk Day and a link to your fundraising page.

You may be surprised to see some extra donations!

Time to Stomp Out Stigma!

Tomorrow we will be stomping out stigma at the South Street Seaport and over the Brooklyn Bridge.

– check out the FAQs for info on NAMIWalks NYC!

• NAMIWalks NYC is a Rain or Shine Event!
• Everyone is invited to attend! The route is wheelchair accessible and there is a shortened walk route for those who cannot walk the full route. Children and pets are welcome!
• Walkers may register on walk day at the Seaport.

  Schedule of Events:

• 9-10 AM Registration and Check-in;
• 10 AM Walk Begins;
• 11 AM – 1 PM Post Walk Wellness Fair; includes Free Massage, Yoga, Basic Health Screenings, Giveaways, and More!

  What To Bring:

• A Light Sweater or Jacket – The Seaport and Bridge can get chilly; Walking Shoes and a Camera; Your Friends and Family!

  How to Get There:

• The South Street Seaport is located at the intersection of Fulton and South Streets. By Train Take the 2,3,4,5,J or M Subway to Fulton Street and Walk East to to Seaport. Pay-Parking is available around the Seaport in outdoor lots.

  Speed Through Check-in:

• Bypass the lines when you arrive by bringing a printout of your walker page or a registration form.
• Walkers without their pre-printed registration form, and new walkers may register at the event.
• Walk Stars who have achieved Walk Star Status, may proceed to the special Walk Star area to check-in.

Check Donations? No Problem!
Check donations can be made out to NAMI-NYC Metro or NAMIWalks – you can turn them in on walk day, or drop them at our office!

In 2 Days!

This Saturday marks the 5th annual NAMIWalks NYC!

To date we have 1,262 walkers singed up online and have raised $273,455.42 - 78% of our $350,000 goal.

If everybody raises $60 we will reach our goal!

Help us make NAMIWalks NYC the BIGGEST walk in the nation for mental illness. There is still time to register for NAMIWalks NYC.

Click Here!

• NAMIWalks NYC is a rain or shine event - though we are forecasted for a stunning sunny spring day with a high of 70!
• If you registered online, print out your Walker webpage and present it at the "Have Form" registration table to speed through check-in. Walkers may also register at the Seaport on the day of the event.
• If you have checks or cash donations, you can hand them in when you check-in/register on Walk day.
• We have Team Meeting Areas so you don't have to arrive at the same time. We will direct you to your area once you complete check-in.
• Everyone that raised $100 or more will receive a free NAMIWalks T-shirt.

Don't forget to check out our post-Walk Health and Wellness Fair from 11:00-1:00 PM. Enjoy free yoga, massage, raffles, and more!

How We Put Your Fundraising Dollars to Work

Donations to NAMIWalks NYC Funds:

• $10 trains one support parent for the Parent Matching Program.
• $25 covers the cost of a Basics class for one caregiver.
• $50 covers the cost of Peer-to-Peer class materials for 10 participants
• $75 provides transportation for one month for 10 Helpline volunteers.
• $100 covers the costs of three "In Our Own Voice" presentations by people living with mental illness in a range of public settings. The presentations educate the community and helps fight the stigma of mental illness.
• $175 covers the cost of one conference call presentation for parents of children with mental illness. We offer these calls monthly.
• $250 covers the cost of Food for 50 consumers at weekend support groups.
• $500 covers the cost of Family-to-Family classes for 45 participants. Family-to-Family provides support and education for people whose loved ones are living with a major mental illness; the classes have been described as “life-saving” or “life-changing.”

T Minus 10

With just 10 days left until NAMIWalks NYC, we're asking you reach out to your networks for just 10 more donations -- one for each day. Just $130 from each registered walker would get us to our goal! A few $10 and $15 donations will add up quickly! WOW- we can do it!

Send an email asking people to donate and join your team, and remind them of your reason for walking. If you've already sent one round of emails, send another -- remind your networks that the Walk is just 10 days away! People want to support your amazing commitment -- so give them another chance!

Together we can stand strong against stigma on Saturday, May 7!

IT"S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER AND START FUNDRAISING FOR NAMIWALKS NYC!

REMINDER! Check to see if your company has a matching gift policy. You can double every donation!

14 Days and Counting!

Can you believe NAMIWalks NYC is just two weeks away?

We’re on track to draw the biggest crowd yet, while raising vital funds to support individuals and families affected by mental illness from all over New York City. With your help, we’ll be able to meet NAMIWalks NYC’s mission to spread awareness and raise the funds required for free support and education in the coming year.

If every team reaches its goal, you’ll have raised more than $275,000 for individuals and families facing mental illness. Amazing!

Here are a few ideas to keep you moving ahead.

1) It all adds up! $10 trains one support parent for the Parent Matching Program. $25 covers the cost of a Basics class for one caregiver. $50 covers the cost of Peer-to-Peer class materials for 10 participants. Tell your donors that gifts at every level have a major impact.

2) You never know who has been touched by mental illness - it could be your neighbor, colleague or a friend of someone you know. Go through your email list – friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, your doctor, babysitter, etc. Send them your fundraising email, and then follow up! You may find someone affected by mental illness in your network to walk on our team – which will make the event all the more meaningful.

3) The Fact: Did you know that the average person needs several reminders before they donate? Don’t give up just because you haven’t heard back. People who want to support you and your commitment may need an extra reminder that there are just two weeks left! Let them know that every dollar counts in the fight against stigma, and that there is still time to donate.

4) If you haven’t started fundraising yet, it’s not too late – here’s a sample letter to use so you can get started today!

Dear Friend,

On Saturday, May 7, I will join thousands of people as part of the fifth annual NAMIWalks NYC, an event that raises money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City. The goals of this journey are to raise funds for education and support, to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness, to encourage people who need it to seek treatment, and to show support for the families and friends of the one in four Americans who experiences a mental health challenge each year.

I am writing to you today to ask for your support of my efforts.

I know from my own experience that serious mental illness can be a struggle. [Briefly describe your own experience here.]

By participating in this event, I hope to raise awareness of the serious threat that mental illness can pose and the treatment options that can help people live full and productive lives. If one person talks honestly about mental illness or seeks treatment for an illness, my efforts to walk on May 7 and to raise money for this cause will be worthwhile.

Please take a moment to watch this CBS News video from last year’s Walk. Then think about what you might give to this cause and donate online at my team page: [Insert your page link here]

We hope that you will help us reach that goal by making a donation today.

Thank you for taking the time to read this note and for your generous support!

Sincerely,

[Insert your signature here]