NAMI walk, 5k raises $88,400 for mental health programs

WOOSTER  NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties held its 14th annual Walk and 5K for Wellness on May 22, with 249 participants, 25 teams and 39 business sponsors.

The community showed great support of NAMI and its mental health support and education programs. The event raised $88,400 to contribute to free services for families affected by mental illness.

The event continued in the format of “YOU Choose the Location,” to accommodate varying comfort levels of how to gather in the pandemic.

The largest teams were: Western Reserve Group (51 participants), Lone Oak Farm (31 participants) and Mighty MOCANs (26 participants). People walked or ran in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, but the winners of the Farthest from 44691 contest were Daming Zeng from Shanghai, China (United Titanium Tigers), and Kelsey Williams and Sebastian Weber from Portland, Oregon (Williams Walkers).

The Certified Angus Beef Moovers took the prize for the Most Creative Route contest. Its team walked at Secrest Arboretum and posted mental health education and statistics related to the local agricultural community on its social media.

Team Vertava submitted the winning picture for the Best Photo Contest. The top fundraising individuals were Kim Hanzie (first place), Annette Welday (second place) and Candace Ressler (third place).

The top fundraising teams were:Jon’s Squad (first), Mighty MOCANs (second) and The Country Girls (third). The winner of the quilt raffle was Lisa Lee, an employee at Western Reserve Group.

Many other participants won door prizes donated by local businesses and friends of NAMI.

Kevin Day was the 2021 Honorary Chair. He and his team at Western Reserve Group stretched their influence and resources to increase business sponsorships and offered employees volunteer time to reduce the expenses of the event.