Sponsors & Teams Sought for 4th Annual NAMI Walks Sarasota-Manatee

NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties is currently seeking sponsors and teams for its 4th annual NAMI Walks event taking place at 9 a.m. on October 5, 2024, at Payne Park in Sarasota.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. As a local affiliate, NAMI of Sarasota and Manatee Counties provides a variety of programs locally to raise awareness and provide resources, support and education to individuals, families, and caregivers on their journey to mental wellness.

NAMI Walks is the largest, most vibrant mental health event in the United States. The Walk takes place in more than 150 locations nationwide and offers a place for supporters to share their stories, build community and walk together to achieve “Mental Health for All.”

NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties is seeking sponsors to support its many services and programs during the morning event, which is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. This year, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties will also kick off a year-long celebration of its 40th Anniversary as part of the Walk.

“We are seeking businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals willing to be part of this year’s signature Walk as we celebrate our 40th anniversary of providing mental health services and programs for youth and adults of all ages living in Sarasota and Manatee Counties,” said Executive Director Colleen Thayer. “Each year, NAMI Walks brings more than 500 individuals from 60 teams together to fight the stigma tied to mental health conditions.”

NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties is also encouraging families, friends and individuals to help raise funds leading up to and during the walk. NAMI Walks offers an easy-to-use web portal in which interested individuals and teams can create their own fundraising pages and share information with others to encourage donations and support.

“The entire family can work together as a team. Or perhaps there is a group of friends or neighbors who want to create a team. Employers are also encouraged to gather their employees together to form a team. No matter what, NAMI Walks makes it easy and fun for all,” Thayer said. “We also offer a lot of different activities and entertainment outside of the Walk itself, so even non-walkers are certain to have a great time. We hope people will get involved and support our cause.”

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Jake Hartvigsen with NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties at (941) 650-6043 or email [email protected].

Want more information about NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties? Visit NamiSarasotaManatee.org.

Want to start or join a team or individually raise funds? Visit [Bit.ly/SRQNAMIWalks2024]Bit.ly/SRQNAMIWalks2024.