Carolyn DiPaoloStet News invites you to join our team on Oct. 10.
At Stet News, we believe in mental health for all.
For the fourth year, we’ve formed a caring and competitive Stet News team to participate in NAMIWalks.
We invite you to lift us up again at NAMIWalks 2026 on Oct. 10.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. It is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
NAMI Palm Beach County relies on the walk, CEO Katherine Murphy told Stet News. It’s one of the largest fundraisers of the year.
“Grants are getting more competitive,” she said, “and NAMIWalks ensures there will be unrestricted funding for our programs, which are all free.”
Those programs, open to all, include support groups, new high school and college clubs and a lecture series.
The chapter is adapting to the changing conditions by recruiting more sponsors. Last year, sponsors contributed $57,000. This year, more than 50 sponsors are kicking in $90,000, Murphy said.
Organizers have planned lots of new ways to connect NAMIWalks participants.
A former NBA player and an actress are lending their star power as NAMIWalks ambassadors to extend the organization’s outreach:
- Jumaine Jones, who played forward and guard in the NBA from 1999 to 2007.
- Cassandra Scerbo, whose most recent role is in the 2026 western movie, “The Wolf and the Lamb.”
Jones and Scerbo will greet walkers on Oct. 10 and spread the word about NAMI through their social networks.
Two therapy horses from the Herd Foundation and therapy dogs from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office will also be on hand.
South Florida PBS will bring virtual reality headsets for visitors to try.
Plenty of food will keep participants fueled: Bolay, Papa John’s and Bimbo Bakery are among the sponsors.
The walk raised more than $200,000 in 2025, and the money stays here in Palm Beach County. Last year, you helped Team Stet raise more than $7,600, making us a top five team. We can do better this year!
Showing up for NAMIWalks sends a message, Murphy said. “There is so much stigma around mental health. It’s really encouraging for people who are going through this to see 1,000 people turn out. It’s a nice way to come together as a community.”
Thanks to a generous sponsor, NAMI PBC past board president and Advisory Council Member Cheryl Checkers, your Stet News team will again be one of the more than 30 organizations with a table at NAMIWalks.
- Stop by, say hello and pick up a Stet News sticker!
We’re proud to say Stet co-founder and team captain Joel Engelhardt serves on the NAMI PBC board.
Details: You can join Team Stet or sponsor a Stet team member here. Or you can register, starting at 7 am on the day of the walk.
NAMIWalks begins at 8:30 am, Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Eric Call Pavilion in John Prince Park west of Lake Worth Beach.
