Captured Event

November, 18 2007 - NAMI St. Louis Gala 2007: “What a Difference a Friend Makes”

What: Cocktails, silent and oral auctions, dinner, live entertainment and 2007 awards presentation.

Where: Missouri Athletic Club

When: November 18, 2007

Time: 5:30 PM

Ticket Prices: $150.00 Per Person

Beneficiary: NAMI St. Louis-Alliance on Mental Illness

EMCEE: David Craig

Gala Chairperson(s): Cynthia S. Smith

Executive Director: Jacqueline Lukitsch, MPPA

Committee Members: Cynthia S. Smith, Chair; Kathy Battles, Vicki Boudreau, Joan Carlson, Jackie Corn, David Craig, Maria Gianino, Mary Grothe, Karen Heath, Mary Herzog, Joyce Johnston, Jackie Lukitsch, Sharon Lyons, Susan Plank, Steven Powell, Leslie Raynsford, Teresa Schnellmann, Peggy McGuigan Sisk, Barbara Smoyer, Debbie Stieferman, Jane Templemire. Volunteers: Larry Balanag, Carolyn Becker, Joan Blase, Kim Bragado, Arlen Chaleff, Maeve Connor, Julie Doherty, Kathy Finlay, Jon Grizzell, Justin Grothe, Jim Heath, Denise Hein, Shirley Higgins, Walt Jaschek, Mary Kuc, Spencer Lane, Debbie Meyer, Michael Mixon, Lance O'Neal, Stuart Percy, Marilee Rogles, Mary Rosenthal, Paula Rother, Pat Shaw, Christopher Siebert, Jen Spector, Dar Walker, Mary Louise Walker, April White

President(s): Steve Powell

Staff: Jacqueline A. Lukitsch, MPPA, Executive Director; Jacqueline Lowery Corn, CFRE, Director of Development;Allen Daniels, Family Outreadh Specialist; Deena Dailey, Project Director, Partners in Crisis; Wendy Dudek, CIT Family Support Specialist; Terrie Higel, Administrative Assistant and Advocacy; Janet R. Jimenez, BJC Family Support Specialist, Sharon Lyons, Director of Volunteers; Richard Stevenson, Director of Special Projects.

Entertainment: Ptah

Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Benefactors, Anheuser-Busch Companies; Emerson; US Bank; Patrons, CenterPointe Hospital, Janssen, Sally Barker--In Memory of Alexander Barker Permutt; Gold Sponsors, American Railcar Leasing; Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation, Crider Health Center, Deborah and Mark Miller, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, Washington University Department of Psychiatry; Silver Sponsors, BJC Behavioral Health, Charles E. Donovan III, Mary and Gerald Grothe, Karen and Patrick Heath, Logos School; Friends, AstraZeneca, Community Alternatives, Joan and Greg Carlson, Darby Equipment Company, Bonnie and Ron Davis, John Fabick Tractor Company, Anne and Sheldon Harbor, Nancy and Gary Herd, Mid-America Clinical Research, LLC, NARSAD, Oildom Publishing Company, PipeLine Machinery International, Places for People, Janet and Steven Powell, Surrex Solutions, Robin and Dan Wald.

Auctioneer: Fletcher Lane

Menu: Mixed greens with arugula, caramelized walnuts, white cheddar, apples, and balsamic vinaigrette; roasted tenderloin of beef and chicken roulade, basil pesto, asiago potatoes, vegetable medley, key lime pie and creme caramel desserts.

Attendance: 270 Guests

Attire: Evening Attire, Business Formal or Cocktail Attire

Information: Jackie Corn 314-966-4670

Board of Directors: Steve Powell, President; Carol Evans, Ph.D., Vice President; Umesh Choksi, Treasurer; Christina Randolph, Secretary; Deborah Bryant, Umesh Choksi, John Cernansky, M.D., Dennis Fogelman, Dennis Fox, JD, Maria Gianino. Gerald Grothe, Karen Heath, Philip A. Hutchison, Joesph M. McHugh, MBA, Al Schopp, Jr., Suzanne Sierra, Jerry Spector, Corliss Strathearn, Frederick Thal, Major Robert Trittler, Regina Trotter, Darwyn E. Walker, MBA Honorary Board: The Hon. Charlie A. Dooley; The Hon. Francis G. Slay; Jackie Joyner-Kersee; Ray Vinson

Blacktie Photos by: Harry R. Bean

Terrie Higel, Dennis Fogelman, Cynthia Smith, chair
View all photos

NAMI St. Louis Gala 2007: “What a Difference a Friend Makes”

By Bonnie Riverdahl
Black Tie Staff

On Sunday, November 18, 2007, the Missouri Athletic Club set the scene for a gala celebration for NAMI St. Louis--the local chapter of the Alliance on Metal Illness.  More than 250 Guests were on hand to enjoy What A Difference A Friend Makes--including a meet and greet cocktail hour, delicious dinner, silent and oral auctions, and live entertainment. 

The highlight of the evening was the awards presentation to 11 outstanding St. Louisans who have made a difference a difference in NAMI's work and constituency.  The 2007 Mortimer Goodman Award recognized Diane McFarland, MSW, a leading professional with over 25 years' experience in the mental health field.  Currently chairperson of Missouri's Mental Health Transformation Workgroup--a 24 member body designed to transform Missouri's mental health system--she has previously served as Director of the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, where she implemented and advocated for new, innovative services for people with mental illness. 

Republican Dr. Charles Portwood received the 2007 Outstanding Legislator Award for his leadership which helped the Missouri Department of Mental Health obtain $1.8 million to implement the Assertive Community Treatment program for those who need a higher level of care than currently available.  Dr. Portwood also led the effort to reinstate the ability of disabled workers to buy into the state's Medicaid system, allowing them to work and have access to health care.  Bristol-Myers-Squibb was honored with the Outstanding Corporate Award for an unwavering commitment to extend and enhance human life and address unmet medical needs in key disease areas.  The company has a long history of developing medicines to treat severe mental illness, and is a major supporter of NAMI at national and local levels,

Bethany Johnson, Strategic Planning Director of The St. Louis Regional Health Commission, accepted the Outstanding Civic Leader Award on behalf of her organization.  RHC--created in 2001--is a collaborative partnership of health service providers, government and community leaders, community organizations, and consumers, focused on improving access to care, reduce health disparities, and improve health outcomes for area residents.  Two honorees shared the Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional Award:  Colonel Jerry Lee, a 36-year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department, and Colonel Joseph Mokwa, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department since 1971 and Chief of Police since 2001.  Both men have been instrumental in the success of NAMI's Crisis Intervention Team program and training. 

Deanna M. Barch, Ph.D.--an Associate Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Radiology at Washington University in St. Louis received the 2007 Outstanding Scientist Award, and the Outstanding Educator Award--given to a person involved in education who has contributed to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness--went to Kathleen Boyd, Senior Vice President at Logos School.  Since joining NAMI St. Louis in 1999, Karen Heath has served on and a variety of committees--including the Personnel, MAMIWalks, and Gala Committee, and others; she has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2003.  Her hard work and dedication earned her this year's Volunteer of the Year Award.

Patricia Thau Rudloff, too, has an impressive history with NAMI St. Louis, dating back to the 1990's and her involvement in a support group at Christian Northwest Hospital and leadership in founding the North Club to provide mentally ill adult children and their families with attractive, low cost, monthly social activities.  The 2007 Lifetime Volunteer honoree, Pat has a dual relationship with NAMI St. Louis and NAMI Madison County; she is on the Madison County Board, leads monthly support groups, and is a family-to-family teacher.  Clay Barbour--a professional journalist for 12 years, currently writing for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch where he focuses much of his work on social issues--received th 2007 Outstanding Media Award.

In addition to the Awards Presentation, the Oral Auction also generated enthusiasm from attendees.  Just some of the outstanding auction items included a four-hour excusion on Carlyle Lake aboard a 33-foot sloop-rigged sailboat; a golf outing for four to Innsbrook Golfe Resort in Wright City, MO; two Saturday night tickets for the four remaining productions at The Repertory Theatre of St. Lous; a 7" long, double strand 6mm cultured pearl bracelet from Michael Genovese Jewelers; a weeklong vacation in a lakefront cabin on Madeline Island in Lake Superior; and a two-week holiday in a two-bedroom condo on Florida's Venice Island.

A wonderful evening, and a successful event, What A Difference A Friend Makes 2007 raised more than $104,000 to support NAMI-St. Louis and its CIT program.

Since its founding in 1978, NAMI-St. Louis has earned a reputation as a "best friend" to those suffering from mental illness and their families.  The organization provides free educational programs, support groups, a library, HELP Line, and other services to link those in need with the right resources.  NAMI's Crisis Intervention Program (CIT) has provided intensive, 40-hour training--including education about mental illness and the skills needed to respond in mental health crises--to 1,200 police officers from the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and 51 municipalities.  CIT is offered in collaboration with 53 police departments, 24 community agencies, and 24 individuals.