More than 800 Midlanders walk for NAMI
Story and Photos by John Temple Ligon temple@thecolumbiastar.com

Buddy Weir (left) and his wife along with the Walking Mosquitoes

Saturday morning, April 19, more than 800 registered walkers gathered at the amphitheater on the west bank of the Congaree River as part of a fundraiser for NAMI, the National Association for the Mentally Ill. Walkers raised an average contribution of about $100, translating to tens of thousands of dollars benefitting NAMI.

Walkers lined up for the 5k event in groups or organizations with creative names. For example, retired stockbroker Buddy Weir's group was called the Mosquitoes - as in everyone, no matter how small, has a presence. Ever been alone trying to sleep in a closed room with one mosquito? The mosquito has a presence, a large presence for such a small insect.

Among the Mosquitoes was Ed Mullins of the state's largest law firm, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough.

Also in the crowd was a strong showing by the law firm of Collins and Lacy.

A big push among the activists for the mentally ill is the concept of parity. They seek comparable concern, resources, and levels of treatment for the mentally ill as already applied for the physically ill.

Ed Mullins and Cocky

Saturday's walk for NAMI was a first for the Midlands...a first of many, according to Weir and Mullins.

Volunteer walkers from the Collins and Lacy law firm