Walk the Walk 2008:  A Grand Success!

The 2008 Walk the Walk, which took place in Athens on Saturday, November 8th, was a grand success.

Between three and four hundred people took part in this effort to promote awareness of mental illness and to combat stigma against those who suffer from it.  Organized by the Gathering Place and NAMI Athens, the event began at the  Courthouse in Athens. There the crowd listened to  statements by various people including State Senator Elect Jimmy Stewart, State Representative Elect Debbie Phillips, Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl, and representatives of the Gathering Place and NAMI Athens.

The walkers then wound their way to the Gathering Place, down Richland Avenue to the Ridges, over the 1.3 mile Ridges Cemeteries Nature Walk, back up Richland avenue and, then, to Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare where about 200 people enjoyed potluck lunch served by AMERICORPS volunteers.