Hope in Every Step:  Four Team Fundraising

Successes for the Walk and 5K for Wellness

Across Wayne and Holmes Counties, our community continues to show up in powerful ways for mental health recovery. As we build momentum for the NAMI Wayne & Holmes Counties Walk & 5K for Wellness, we are inspired by the creativity, heart, and teamwork behind our teams’ fundraising efforts. Every dollar raised supports free local programs like MOCA House, Family-to-Family Classes, CIT, support groups, and education that bring hope and help to families right here at home.

Here are four standout ways teams are making an impact — and ideas you can borrow for your own efforts.

Jon’s Squad uses Personal Letters + Matching Gifts = Double the Impact

This dedicated team took a relationship-centered approach by launching a personal letter-writing campaign. Jon’s family shared why NAMI Wayne & Holmes Counties is important to them and invited friends and family to give. Then they secured a donation through GBU to match the funds they raised. The result? Donations grew quickly, and supporters felt personally connected to the mission. When heartfelt storytelling meets matching gifts, momentum builds fast.

Homegrown Efforts That Build Community

Country Girls has supported NAMI for years! This team leaned into their talents with bake sales and personal donations. From homemade treats like cinnamon rolls, iced coffee sales at community events, they created easy ways for neighbors and friends to contribute. These grassroots efforts not only raised funds, but also sparked meaningful conversations about mental health recovery along the way. It’s proof that you don’t need a large event to make a big difference - just willing hands and a shared purpose.

Walking in Memory: Fundraising with Purpose

For our Run for Riley team, the Walk and 5K for Wellness is deeply personal. They continue to organize their team in loving memory of Riley, who they lost to suicide. Their story is one of courage, remembrance, and hope for other families. They maintain a Facebook page where they share updates on the Walk and invite their family and friends to join them. By sharing their “why,” they have built a compassionate circle of supporters who walk beside them each year. Purpose-driven fundraising like this reminds us that every step truly matters.

Workplace Fun that Drives Big Results

One of our amazing corporate teams, Western Reserve Group, brings both enthusiasm and friendly competition to their walk each year. Their team organizes an on-campus walk and coordinates a popular raffle featuring donated prizes employees genuinely enjoy - everything from gift cards, to local restaurants to coveted blue-jeans days and other workplace perks. We love how they have customized this event to fit their culture! The event is highly visible, fosters team spirit, and most importantly, helps advance mental health recovery and support in our community.

Your Team Will Make the Next Big Impact!

There is no single “right way” to fundraise for the Walk and 5K for Wellness! The most successful teams simply start with what motivates them and invite others to be part of the journey. Whether your approach is personal, creative, memorial, or workplace-focused, your efforts help NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties continue to provide free, life-changing mental health support across Wayne and Holmes counties.

Ready to take the next step?

Form your team, set your goals, and join us for the Walk and 5K for Wellness! Contact us at 330-264-2590 or ksymonds@namiwayneholmes.org and we will help you set up your team and cheer you on!