Mental health fundraising walk in Shelton

The goals of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ NAMIWalks Thurston-Mason fundraiser June 1 in Shelton are to promote awareness of mental health and reduce the stigma, raise money for NAMI’s free mental health programs and to build community and let people know they are not alone.

NAMI Thurston-Mason is seeking volunteers to collect donations and participate in the walk that begins and ends at Shelton High School at 3737 N. Shelton Springs Road. Registration and check-in is at 8 a.m., the opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

The full route is 2 miles, with a 1-mile route available. Walkers are welcome to bring strollers, wheelchairs and wagons. Children do need to be registered, so register them online in advance or sign a waiver the day of the walk. For information, go to http://www.namitm.org or email [email protected]. For information on the day of the event, call or text 360-493-6021.

This is NAMI’s first fundraising walk in Shelton, said Mary Traxler, the treasurer of the NAMI Thurston-Mason Board of Directors and the co-chair of the NAMI walk. Local people who have wanted to participate have had to go to the event in Redmond, she said. “That drive to Redmond is challenging,” she said.

Walks have been established in Spokane and Tri-Cities, and now Shelton, Traxler said. She will be walking with her team, The Young and the Breathless.

Traxler said she was referred to the agency nine years ago when she sought services for a loved one with mental health problems. She said she learned about symptoms and where help is available.

At the event, vendors can set up free of charge, Traxler said.

Suggestions for fundraisers include garage sales, car washes, fundraisers on Facebook, silent auctions, chili

cookoffs and block parties. Fundraisers are advised that checks should be made out to NAMI Thurston-Mason. Credit card donations will be taken on the walk day, and cash and check donations turned in. Organizers say the walk will take place no matter the weather.

The route will begin at Shelton High School’s Highclimber Stadium. Walkers will leave the stadium’s northeast gates and head down the paved walking path along Shelton Springs Road.

As the walkers approach North 13th Street, where a tent will mark the 1-mile turnaround. Walkers will remain at the tent until the larger group passes and will then return to the stadium.

Walkers not using the turnaround will continue down North 13th Street, cross the K Street crosswalk and continue to Mason General Hospital. They will then cross North 13th Street at the crosswalk and start their return trip. Following North 13th Street, the walkers will cross at the Northcliff Road crosswalk as they continue to the intersection of 13th and Shelton Springs Road. They will then cross 13th Street at the crosswalk and complete their trek.