Dear ____________________________,

I am writing to invite you to sponsor me in NAMIWALKS Chicago benefiting NAMI of Greater Chicago, an affiliate of NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill).  The 5K Walk will be held on the morning of Sunday, September 21, 2008 in Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park. 

NAMI of Greater Chicago is Chicago’s Voice on Mental Illness.  The goal of the walk is to raise awareness regarding the need for America to build and fund world-class treatment and recovery systems for people who experience mental illness.  Proceeds from the Walk will be used by NAMI of Greater Chicago to continue and expand its services, including:

• Providing information and referral services to over 6,000 callers annually on its HELPLINE

• Providing support and education for persons with serious brain disorders and their families through its English and Spanish Family-to-Family and Pathways in Living Consumer (of mental health services) Education Courses

• Providing training to all Chicago Police Recruits and to experienced police officers through the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training; Chicago is now the largest city in the nation with such a program, which NAMI of Greater Chicago assisted in developing and implementing

• Giving numerous professional presentations and educational programs annually

• Organizing programs and activities for consumers of mental health services through its Consumer Club

• Advocating for nondiscriminatory and equitable federal, state, and private sector policies

• Promoting research into the causes of and treatments for brain disorders

• Hosting a user-friendly resource and referral website: www.namigc.org

Mental illness is an important public health issue.  Millions of Americans are living with mental illness.  One in five or more families is affected.  More than 25% of hospital admissions are psychiatric admissions.  The total cost of mental health services in the U.S. is now estimated to be over $200 billion a year.

NAMI, the Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness, was recently cited by Worth Magazine in its “Top 100 charities most likely to change the world.”  You can help NAMI change the world substantially for the better—helping those in your community who are struggling with major mental illness—by sponsoring Chicago’s NAMIWALKS For the Mind of America. 

Thank you for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,