$85,000 Raised For Mental Health In SE Minnesota is Beautiful

Get our free mobile app

An Amazing Day At Rochester's Silver Lake for Mental Health

This weekend in Rochester, something completely amazing happened. The NAMIWalks for SEMN's goal was $75,000, and as I read the tally at the closing ceremony, "$85,000 has been raised to help people whose lives are touched by mental health issues!"

NAMIWalks 2022 Your Way Enormously Successful

NAMI SEMN is the local National Alliance on Mental Illness, Southeastern, Minnesota. As one of this community's highly regarded mental health resources, NAMI SEMN's new Executive Director, Mathew Bjorngaard said it was an exceptional day!

The Walk exceeded our wildest expectations, thanks to everyone who participated. The stories that were shared on Walk day and leading up to it made it clear that mental health affects everyone, in all the places where we live, work, learn and play. We are humbled by the community support and cannot wait to share the impact of the funds and support. Thank you, southeast Minnesota!

$85,000 Raised for Mental Health Access at NAMIWalks SEMN 2022!

It was a beautiful day at Rochester, Minnesota's Silver Lake as hundreds of people gathered for NAMIWalks Your Way SEMN on September 24, 2022. They raised $85,000! These photos are courtesy NAMI SE Minnesota.

Sharing Their Loving Son to Help Save Others In Our Community

Ryan and Jenner Hegge (Photo James Rabe TSMR)

It was crisp last Saturday morning when two people, parents, were at NAMIWalks SEMN 2022, to talk about their son, their loss, and their hope. Jennifer and Ryan Hegge of Kasson, MN, stepped up on the stage, took the microphone, and started to tell their story.

As we listened to them talk about their son Aidan, who died by suicide, on July 27, 2020, you could feel a togetherness. That was the hashtag of the day, and it was true. Almost 300 people were there to work together for mental health (#Together4MH).

Ryan and Jennifer Hegge started Aidan's Light

Aidan’s Light is committed to providing scholarships to deserving graduates in the Kasson/Mantorville School district. Aidan's Light will advocate to help stop youth suicide through charitable giving to both national and local charities, focusing on the prevention of youth suicide and treatment of mental health problems. We also look to provide local schools the needed resources to bring awareness to youth mental health and prevent youth suicide. (Source)

Canva/Rabe

PERSONAL NOTE: As someone dealing with mental health issues in our community, and living with a higher profile, I am blessed to have a platform to normalize mental health conversations and amplify those SE Minnesota voices offering help. If you are such an organization or individual, please, scroll down and connect with me.

Oktoberfest for Suicide Prevention Coming Soon

Something else happened the same Saturday. It, too, was a fundraiser!

One of the most amazing nights in Southeast Minnesota - the Luke Bryan Farm Tour! (PHOTOS)

When famous country star, Luke Bryan, announced that he was bringing his Farm Tour to Eyota, Minnesota, and tickets sold out in less than 2 days, you KNEW an epic party was going to be happening in Southeast Minnesota.

And it did. And I've got the photos to prove it!

20,000 people showed up to party on Saturday, September 24th, 2022 with Luke Bryan, Riley Green, Jameson Rodgers, Peach Pickers, and DJ Rock.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com