13 Miles for Mental Health Awareness

Hi! I'm Amelia and my Bat Mitzvah is coming up in October. For my service project I am going to run 13 miles, one mile an hour for 13 hours. In Judaism you read from the Torah at age 13 and that is your passage into Jewish adulthood, which is why I choose to run 13 miles. I decided to raise money for an organization called NAMI CCNS (National Association for Mental Illness Cook County North Suburban). NAMI is an organization that provides support and resources for individuals and families affected by mental illness as well as spreading awareness about mental illness (you can read more about them below).1 in 5 people live with a mental health issue, which means it is very likely that someone you know struggles with or has struggled with mental illness. I choose to raise money for this organization because as someone who struggles with mental illness and with many people around me who do as well, I believe mental illness should be talked about more regularly and the stigma around it should be addressed. I believe that mental illness is something that should be taken as seriously as cancer or any other disease. I hope to raise awareness and educate others about mental illness through this project. Please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal of $1,300 for 13 miles.

More information about Nami Cook County North Suburban (Nami Ccns): The mission of NAMI Cook County North Suburban (NAMI CCNS) is to improve the lives of individuals living with mental illness and those who love and care for them through education, support, advocacy and research. NAMI CCNS serves 17 communities in the Cook County, Illinois North Suburban area. Within these communities, we serve individuals and families, schools, places of worship, libraries, city governments, senior centers, businesses, and anyone who wants to share our mission of improving the lives of those affected by mental illness. All are welcome to join and attend NAMI CCNS events and classes.