HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Havre affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held a virtual walk on Sunday to raise funds and awareness in the battle against mental illness.
NAMI Havre President Crystal Laufer says they exceeded their $500 fundraising goal, which will allow them to continue serving the community.
“It’s gonna help us big time. It’s gonna help with our classes and getting back and forth to Helena once the pandemic is over, we’ll be able to go and get more trainers trained in other classes that we want here in Havre. Because we would like to see two more classes come to Havre, and we’re kind of hoping that we can get it next year.”
The annual walk is typically held in Helena, but due to COVID-19 precautions, each local chapter held their own walk. However, plans for the Havre Chapter to run an entire 5k were scrapped in favor of a shorter walk at Pepin Park.
“Because it was the Board, and a lot of us have (bad) hips and bad knees,” Laufer said. “But we walked the park and we did four laps, so we walked a mile.”
Overall, Laufer says she is satisfied with the response from the community.
“I’m really happy with what has went on this year. I was kind of shocked that a lot of people came forward and donated and everything. I was really impressed with Havre.”
The Havre NAMI office is open to the public, and they are hoping to have at least 10 people for their family-to-family class in January.
To contact NAMI Havre, call 262-7653.
