An open letter and invitation from Trez Buckland, member of the Mental Health Ministry Committee, Archdiocese of Seattle.

Washington is 47^th in the nation for care for the mentally ill this year – I think we have moved up a couple notches from last year!! We have a ways to go! I hope you can go to the walk and meet up with my team. We are there in memory of those we have lost and in support of all those working for recovery. Look for our sign, covered in paper flowers! We don’t have t-shirts, but wear some purple!

Please join us on the walk, Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Marina Park in Kirkland. Registration opens at 8 AM! The walk begins at 9. Bring your babies in strollers, toddlers, kids of all ages, elders, people in wheelchairs, pets, too! If you cannot donate (I know there are so many worthy causes) and if you cannot walk, cheer us on and help spread the word about hope and recovery! I hope to raise $5K and have made the first donation to myself! If you do not have a team already, and if you are able to donate to my team (Paula’s Purple People), you can do so directly using this link (but even if you cannot – we would love to see you there on walk day!): https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=29266 [eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]

NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans impacted by mental health conditions. NAMI Seattle, my affiliate, offers many programs at no cost to participants: support groups, classes, community education programs. In addition, they support efforts to bring about positive change in the mental health system in Washington State.

I walk in memory of my sisters, Paula and Carla, and most recently a wonderful young man, Calvin Clark, and all those who have lost their lives in their battle against mental illness. I also walk in celebration and gratitude for the success stories and efforts of individuals with mental illness, and in thanksgiving for the support of people like you who choose to be part of the solution through donation, supporting others or advocacy! You make a difference!

Thank you for your support!

With Appreciation,  Trez Buckland and Family