NAMI Lake County, OH

10/11/2026

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at NAMI Lake County is watching relationships evolve into meaningful partnerships that create opportunities for everyone involved.

Our partnership with Lake Erie College continues to grow, evolve, and unfold in exciting ways. What makes this relationship particularly special is that it represents two organizations with distinct missions coming together to support one another, share resources, create opportunities, and ultimately strengthen the communities we serve.

Thank you for walking with us.

The Lake Erie College exercise science (Dr. Ryan Fairall + his pup Bledsoe) and psychology programs (Dr. Leatra Tate) joined forces for the NAMIWalks 5K. Dr. Tate says she's grateful to the students, staff, and faculty for helping raise $410 for NAMI Lake County, OH. As one of our signs for today read, "No one has to face the storm alone." We had an opportunity to walk to ensure a future that ensures Mental Health for All.

10/11/2026

🎉 The NAMIWalks Lake County 2026 Raffle Winners Have Been Announced! 🎉

Congratulations to all our lucky winners, and THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year's raffle! Your generosity helps NAMI Lake County continue providing free mental health education, support, and advocacy throughout our community.

Important Reminder: All prizes must be picked up by Friday, November 6, 2026. Any prizes not claimed by that date will be donated to NAMI Lake County.

Check out the winners below! 👇 Winners have been notified individually.

Together, we are making a difference.

10/06/2026

Join us for our annual Night of Hope by registering at;
https://nightofhoperegistration/weblink.

10/05/2026

UPDATE 10/7/2026: Due to the overwhelming interest in this program, we are reviewing current applicants/inquiries before accepting new applications. During this time, please call 211 for additional resources available in Lake and Geauga County. We truly appreciate the community's enthusiasm and patience as we work to support as many as possible. Thank you for your understanding!

❄️Lifeline’s Senior Snowplow Assistance Program helps eligible Lake or Geauga County seniors (60+) access snow removal assistance during the winter season.

To be eligible, clients must be below the 200% Federal Poverty Level, which is approximately $2,660 per month for a one-person household and $3,607 per month for a two-person household.

For details, please get in touch with Catherine at (440) 354-2148 ext. 223.

10/03/2026

💚 OCTOBER CALENDAR FEATURE 💚

October is Depression Awareness Month, and this month gives us another opportunity to remind people that mental health struggles are not always visible.

Someone can smile, go to work, spend time with friends, and still be carrying something incredibly heavy inside. That is why checking in on the people around us matters. It is also why we continue encouraging people to speak up when they are struggling and to seek help when they need it.

October 4th through the 10th is Mental Illness Awareness Week, with World Mental Health Day taking place on October 10th. These observances help keep important conversations going, reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, and remind us that taking care of our mental health should be treated with the same importance as our physical health.

This month we are featuring the winner of our 2025 Best W.I.P. Award, this fantastic 1953 Ford Customline.

Work in progress vehicles have always been a great part of our show because every build has a story. Sometimes things take time, and progress does not have to happen all at once. There may even be a little life lesson hidden in there too.

📸 Photo credit goes to Rogue Imagery.

A special thank you to our October calendar sponsor, AV Photography , for supporting Breaking The Stigma and our mission.

We also have some exciting news to share.

As of September 30th, Breaking The Stigma Charity Car Show is officially a member of the Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce.

We are excited to become part of such a great network of local businesses and organizations. We look forward to building new relationships, creating partnerships, supporting our local businesses, and finding even more ways for Breaking The Stigma to be active within our community.

As we move through October, keep checking in on your people. Keep having the conversations. And if you are the one struggling, remember that asking for help is a sign of strength.

It’s okay to not be okay. 💚

09/28/2026

There are some people who lead from the front, and others who quietly make sure everything works behind the scenes. Joanna is one of those people.

Joanna doesn't seek recognition or the spotlight. In fact, she'd probably prefer that I didn't write this at all! But after the incredible success of this year's NAMIWalks Lake County, I can't let the moment pass without recognizing her.

Joanna served as our Walk Leader, and so much of what everyone experienced on Saturday, the organization, the details, the coordination, and ultimately the success of the day, had her fingerprints all over it. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months, not because she wanted credit, but because she believes deeply in NAMI's mission and the people we serve.

Joanna, on behalf of our Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, and certainly from me personally, THANK YOU. Thank you for your leadership, your commitment, your patience, and all those things you did that most people will never even know needed to be done.

I'm incredibly grateful for you and proud of what you helped our NAMI Lake County family accomplish.

You may not seek the recognition, Joanna, but you've certainly earned it.

Cheers. 💚

Matt Selker
Executive Director

09/26/2026

💚 FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART: THANK YOU!

As Executive Director of NAMI Lake County, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for what our community created today at NAMIWalks Lake County 2026.

If you walked with us today… volunteered… sponsored the event… hosted a vendor or community partner table… received an award… sang our National Anthem… provided massage therapy...donated an item… bought raffle tickets online… formed a team… helped behind the scenes… or supported NAMI Lake County in ANY way—thank you from the bottom of my heart.

YOU contributed to the incredible success of this year’s Walk.

There was something special in the air today. The positive energy, connection, and synergy surrounding this celebration of mental health were simply incredible. Everywhere I looked, I saw people connecting, laughing, supporting one another, and standing together around one powerful message:

Mental health matters. You are not alone. And together, we can make a difference.

I want to give special recognition to Joanna Mannon, our Walk Leader, whose leadership, commitment, energy, and countless hours helped bring today to life. Joanna, thank you for carrying this event forward with such dedication and heart.

I also want to recognize our incredible Fundraising Committee and Walk Committee. What everyone experienced today was the result of months of planning, meetings, phone calls, emails, problem-solving, fundraising, organizing, and people simply asking, “What else can I do to help?” Your work behind the scenes made everything we celebrated today possible. Thank you!

Our Walk is about raising critical funds to support our mission—but it is about so much more than fundraising. It is about community. It is about hope. It is about reducing stigma and creating a Lake County where people feel safe asking for help and know that support is available.

To our walkers, volunteers, staff, Board members, sponsors, vendors, community partners, award recipients, performers, donors, committee members, and friends: you made today possible.

I’ve been part of a lot of NAMIWalks, and I can say this without hesitation:

Hands down, this was the BEST WALK EVER!

And stay tuned—many more Walk Day pictures are coming! We captured so many wonderful moments today, and we'll be sharing them once everyone has had a chance to rest up and recover from an incredible day!

Thank you, Lake County. I could not be prouder of what we accomplished together today.

With tremendous gratitude,

Matthew L. Selker, MPA
Executive Director
NAMI Lake County, Ohio

💚 Together, we are the voice of mental health in Lake County. 💚