The GOC was out in force for the annual NAMI Walk. It is a wonderful community event that brings people together to advocate for mental health support. It was quite a day, as you will see in the pictures. A lot of really great people and a lot of great organizations participated. Click through the photos to see who you know. HCA Florida North Florida Hospital Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. NAMI NAMI Gainesville UF College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center – NFETC Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Clubhouse International – ICCD Santa Fe College Elio Piedra “Bringing The Fiesta to you” Elio Piedra City of Gainesville, FL – Government Gainesville Police Department

Elio brought the Fiesta to the GOC table. He is with Board member Mercy Quiroga and GOC Member David. GOC Members Pat and Kim went to every table and spoke about the GOC and our fall festival Event Nov. 4. Lloyd is active with NAMI and the GOC. here he is taking pictures of the GOC Art for All booth. Mike and Debbie Conlon is sharing a moment with Pat on a beautiful Fall day in Gainesville. Allen Paulsen from Meridian Behavioral health is with Tara Mitchell. Tara is a GOC Board Member who works at the North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center.

The North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center Team was there. Pam and Tara have significant GOC ties. Joan Stevens (purple shirt) visits with other supporters, her son David, and Dr. George Teaford of Shands psychiatry. Joan Stevens (center) and Terrie Mullin (right) never miss a NAMI Walk. They are very dedicated to championing mental health issues in our community. Kaitlyn and Mackenzie are working the table and selling art. Bruce Stevens is with Jake Newcomb. Jake and the Newcomb Jazz Duo will perform at the GOC Nov. 4 during our Fall festival. Moms Demand Action is a group advocating for gun safety. Jake Newcomb and Susan Thomas share a moment. GOC Development Director Brett Buell spoke about the GOC. There was much applause. As we said before, Elio always brings the Fiesta. He set the mood at the event for sure. GOC Board Member Shoab Rana and his wife were here for support. GOC Executive Director Deidra Simon and Program Director Maggie Hannon are all decked out in their GOC shirts. Members represented the GOC well. Many wore their GOC Shirts. Cpl Shelley Postle and Felipe Hernandez of the GPD and Meridian CoReponders team. Cpl Shelley Postle represented the Co-Responder teams. She walked with GOC Member John Smith. Natasha Fredrickson and Christine Baker represented HCA North Florida Hospital. We talked about smiles. GOC Members are full of them. Long time Former GOC Board Members Cyndi Garvan and Trish Sokol were there to show support with NAMI’s Sandy Levy.

GOC Members Kim, Lasheka, and Mark are thrilled to be a part of the GOC, NAMI, and our community. So are we all.

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