NAMI Southwest Iowa gala raises more than $40,000
NAMI Southwest Iowa raised more than $40,000 for free mental health programs at its Hope Illuminated Gala on Nov. 7 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. The evening featured a talk by Kody Green, a national mental health advocate who speaks about his own life with schizophrenia and his recovery. It was also the last gala for Executive Director Anna Killpack, who will retire at the end of the year. Amy Sherer will succeed her.
“Raising more than $40,000 is an incredible testament to the generosity of our community and its commitment to mental health,” Killpack said. “It was a wonderful evening filled with hope, connection, and inspiration, especially hearing Kody Green share his powerful story of living with schizophrenia and finding recovery.”
The organization also presented its annual awards. Tiffany Egget, founder of You Are Loved, was named Volunteer of the Year. George McGinnis received the Advocate of the Year award, and the Pottawattamie County Jail was honored with the Community Partner award.
NAMI Southwest Iowa is an affiliate of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and of NAMI Iowa. It provides free mental health education, support and resources to people living with mental illness and their families. The organization serves nine counties: Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby. Killpack said money raised at the gala goes directly to those programs.
Killpack has led NAMI Southwest Iowa for six years and served on its board before becoming executive director. She has been involved with the organization since it began. “I can’t imagine a more meaningful way to celebrate my final gala as Executive Director,” she said. “Having been part of NAMI Southwest Iowa since its beginning, I’ve had the privilege of watching this organization grow in ways we could have only dreamed of.”
She thanked the gala’s sponsors, donors and volunteers. “It’s a powerful reminder that when a community comes together, we can make a real difference in people’s lives,” she said.
NAMI Southwest Iowa’s next event will be Breakfast with the Grinch, from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at The Gathering Place in Neola. The morning will include breakfast and holiday activities, and organizers say the Grinch will be on hand. More details, including sponsorship opportunities for businesses, will be announced on the organization’s social media pages.
