NAMI Gwinnett | NAMI Gwinnett Activities

Listed below are some of the activities from our recent past, present and possible future efforts. While only lead coordinators are shown (including some not on the Board), it is realized and greatly appreciated that many members participate in making these activities successful. You will also note the frequency with which some names appear. Some certainly do more than their fair share. We welcome anyone who would become a member of NAMI Gwinnett and help in these projects. Just call a coordinator for details.

Community Help Book – John and Lois Tekely constructed and edited the first edition with 3000 copies printed. This was and is a resounding success. The book has now been updated and a second printing was completed by Daryl Myers, Sara Burns, Carol McEntee and Sylvia Kyle from our Gwinnett, Rockdale, Newton Community Service Board. This little 39 page booklet is loaded with references to Services for Families and Friends of the Mentally Ill. It contains contact names and phone numbers of key people in the mental health services field and includes drug companies that provide free medication. A PDF version of the Community Help book is under the link of Gwinnett Help book. You are welcome to print your self a copy. We have just completed a third printing!
“Open Your Mind” Power point presentation – This informative presentation was created by Brenda Vinson and Bruce Beck to educate the public about NAMI, mental illness and to reduce stigma. The "Open Your Mind" presentation is available for your club, civic group or church. These presentations have been warmly received in the community.
We have created an Advisory Council to assist the Affiliate Board of Directors in advancing the purpose of NAMI Gwinnett.
Legislative Advocacy is primarily a NAMI Georgia function at the state level but we must also advocate to our specific legislators on many issues involving support of our mental health system. Do not believe for one minute that the welfare of our consumers will always be provided by our congresspersons. We are planning for fiscal year 2005 efforts to address the new legislators as soon as possible after the election and we need your help now.
Bellsouth Golf Classic Concession Stand 2006– There were thirty to forty thousand people expected out at the BellSouth Classic this last week and from the crowds I believe it happened. The BellSouth Classic ended up to be a huge success for NAMI Gwinnett and the local consumers. We had great weather, awesome food, lots of laughter and fun was had by all. Tuesday started with some scary weather but as the days went on, the sun went up and so did our sales. This year we had not only record breaking sales in our main tent but our pretzel and lemonade stand didn’t do so shabby itself. With “Chef” Paul’s pepper and onion mixture we had customers walking for miles just following their noses to the 17^th green for some of the best Italian sausages around. I received compliments on our hot food, ice cold beverages, smiles and the overall friendly atmosphere of the 17^{th green} concession stand. With the percentage of our sales that we receive from this fund-raiser we will be able to give the consumers of Gwinnett County the best Thanksgiving and Christmas parties ever. I was fortunate enough to be able to be involved this last year in both of these festivities and found myself extremely rewarded in heart and spirit. The consumers were full of smiles, warm food and the karaoke was a huge hit. I would like to thank all my volunteers for the great job they did this year. Without people like you my job wouldn’t have gone so smooth. The people I would like to thank are: Lois Damron, Don and Priscilla Casciolini, Deanne Beaton, Carol McEntee, Doug and Rita Scheidt, Gary Scheidt, Patsy Illick, Dottie Daniel, Eloise Thompson, Brian Bilia, Daryl Myers, Phil Rozzo, Sara Burns, Lou Wise, Pam Holman, Eric Spencer, Mimi Swaim, Scott and Josh Vennel, the whole Howard clan, “Chef” Paul, Sandy, Debbie, and Donna, Robin Sowell, Ike Jernigan, Randy Mahaffey, Debbie Taylor, Cindy and Jeff Lee, Sam Rapier, Jennifer Garrison, Patti Owens, Barbara Wise, Samantha Lamphier and Roberta Plant. I would also like to thank all of NAMI Gwinnett for the opportunity to serve as the lead in the BellSouth Classic. It was my pleasure to stand by each and every one of you, hand in hand, to fight for the cause to help the mentally ill. Watch your caller ID’s for my call for next year!Diane Turman
"Bicycles for Bi-Polars" is our second fundraiser of this year. It is being held on Saturday, April 29, between 10am and 3pm, cyclists from all over the area will descend on Tribble Mill Park in Grayson (near Lawrenceville), Ga., and raise money for our worthy cause. Riders will have the options of riding the 3 mile paved path, or a 5 mile back country trail, or ride their own path if they have an odometer on their bike (some do, you know). Not only will the cyclists enjoy the beuatiful scenery that is Tribble Mill Park, but there will also be Bicycle Maintence Clinics, a Mountain Bike Skills Clinic, Information Booths from Sponsors, and a NAMI Education Booth. If you, or somebody you know has a bike, come on out and ride for us. Contact me (Eric Spencer) prior to the event and I’ll send you a pledge card. Get this filled out by your neighbors, work mates, church members, or anybody else willing to help out. Then come to the Oak Pavillion at Tribble Mill Park and enjoy a great day of fun, fellowship, and fundraising. Please call Eric Spencer @ 770-822-2795
Consumer Thanksgiving Luncheon is given to the day treatment center located in Lawrenceville. About 100 Consumers enjoy this party. We need your help.
Christmas gifts and “goody” bags for the GRN Consumers in December. About 100 Christmas gifts are purchased and 100 “goody” bags containing 8-10 items like soap, toothpaste & brush, combs etc. are purchased, wrapped, prepared and delivered each year. We need your help here. Email Debbie (debtay16@bellsouth.net) or Lori (daculamomma@aol.com) and mention you want to help with this.
Telephone Tree Maintenance - These are the people that call our members to remind NAMI Gwinnett maintains a fairly up to date library of books on Mental Illness in a cabinet at the front left of our meeting room. We have just added several new books and all are available to be checked out by family members. This operates just like a library, check out the book and when you are through, return it.
Hospitality (Refreshments) are provided at each meeting. These are donated by a few people in our membership. We need your help with this so email Lori (daculamomma@aol.com) and mention you want to help with Hospitality.
NAMI-C.A.R.E. – A structured consumer support group that meets every Tuesday at 7:30pm.
Family to Family is a highly successful 12 week training program for the family member and friends about coping with mental illness. We need teachers for this program. Teachers are required to take a 4 meeting class at NAMI Georgia and that have attended at least one Family to Family program.
NAMI Gwinnett Newsletter is one of the best in the state of Georgia thanks to the effort by a number of people in this affiliate that contribute articles and their time.
Christmas Tree and brochures at the Gwinnett County Administration Center is provided by NAMI Gwinnett.
Riches Discount ticket sales is an October fund raiser. We need your help with this.
Crisis Intervention Training is a long term goal we are accomplishing. It is a training program for the Public Safety Officers in the Metro Area on how to deal with difficult situations involving the mentally ill and their family in crisis situations. It is an area that we advocate for and we need your help.