\n Local leaders will once again camp overnight in their communities to raise dollars
\n\n \;and awareness for mental health.
\n\n Dollars raised benefit Lee Carlson Center&trade\; for Mental Health &\; Well-Being\, a 501 ©\;(3) non profit
\n\n that has been providing mental health services to individuals and families for over 30 years.
\n\n Every year\, over 4\,500 residents of Anoka County and the surrounding Northern Suburbs are
\n\n served by the center.
\n\n According to Lee Carlson Center Executive Director\, Kathy Samilo\, &ldquo\;As the primary provider of
\n\n mental health services in the Northern Suburbs and with funding less plentiful\, we&rsquo\;re relying more
\n\n and more on events like The RoofRaiser to fund the programs and services we provide to the
\n\n communities we serve.&rdquo\;
\n\n The RoofRaiser is the brainchild of former Spring Lake Park Mayor\, Bob Nelson\, who in 2008
\n\n camped on the roof of Spring Lake Park High School\, raising over $5\,000 for Lee Carlson Center&trade\;.
\n\n Nelson was unable to make a donation from the city\, so this was his way of supporting a cause he
\n\n truly believed in. In 2009 and 2010\, other Mayors and public officials supported this effort by
\n\n camping out in their own communities.
\n\n In 2011\, the RoofRaiser will be held in seven communities and 15 local dignitaries will be camping
\n\n out.
\n\n RoofRaiser Overnight Host Site
\n\n Bob Ramsey\, Ramsey Mayor &\; Mike Jungbauer\, Coborns in Ramsey
\n\n MN State Senator
\n\n Gary Peterson\, Columbia Heights Mayor &\; State Top Value Liquor in Columbia Hts
\n\n Senator Barb Goodwin
\n\n County Sheriff\, James Stuart &\; Coon Rapids Mayor\, Bennigan&rsquo\;s in Coon Rapids
\n\n Tim Howe
\n\n RoofRaiser Overnight Host Site
\n\n County Commissioners Robyn West &\; Rhonda The Club in Blaine
\n\n Sivarajah\, along with Tidbits Publisher Dean Prince
\n\n Scott Lund\, Fridley Mayor &\; Barb Goodwin\, BoB&rsquo\;s Produce in Fridley
\n\n State Senator
\n\n Anoka City Manager\, Tim Cruikshank &\; Serum&rsquo\;s in Anoka
\n\n County Commissioner\, Matt Look
\n\n State Senator\, Michelle Benson &\; Andover Tanners Station in Andover
\n\n City Council member\, Sheri Bukkila
\n\n Each RoofRaiser has been challenged to raise $2\,000 in support of mental health services
\n\n provided by Lee Carlson Center in their community. RoofRaisers will be lifted to their overnight
\n\n sites by the local fire departments at 6pm on Friday the 16th.
\n\n &ldquo\;We&rsquo\;re thrilled that this event gains new momentum every year. We&rsquo\;re so grateful to these
\n\n loyal RoofRaiser&rsquo\;s for taking time out of their busy schedules to support our agency&rdquo\; says Patty
\n\n Halvorson\, Marketing/Development Manager. &ldquo\;We&rsquo\;re also excited to be partnering with seven
\n\n local businesses who are hosting the RoofRaiser this year.&rdquo\;
\n\n Donations can be made several ways:
\n\n 1) Online via credit card at www.leecarlsoncenter.org
\n\n 2) Through cash or check donation:
\n\n Mailed or dropped off anytime to: Lee Carlson Center
\n\n 7954 University Ave. NE
\n\n Fridley\, MN 55432
\n\n Attn: Patty
\n\n 3) Or\, by stopping by one of the RoofRaiser sites any time between Friday\, 9/16 at 6pm up
\n\n through Saturday\, 9/17 thru noon.
\n\n 4) The public is also invited to a RoofRaiser kick-off on Friday\, 9/16 from 4-5 pm at BoB&rsquo\;s
\n\n Produce (also the Fridley RR site). Culver&rsquo\;s Jammers\, a local bluegrass band will be performing
\n\n and finger foods and treats will be served. Donations can be made during the kick-off.
\n\n Your RoofRaiser donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent by law. All RoofRaiser donations
\n\n help support the many mental health services provided by Lee Carlson Center.
\n\n Those interested in participating or in learning more about Lee Carlson Center can visit our
\n\n website at www.leecarlsoncenter.org or contact Patty at 763-230-7836.
\n\n About Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health&trade\; &\; Well-Being:
\n\n For more than 30 years\, Lee Carlson Center has provided prevention and early intervention
\n\n programs to schools. They currently serve 20 schools K-12 in four school districts. More than
\n\n 1\,600 youth participate in these free programs every year\, targeting those who have engaged in or
\n\n are considered at risk for behaviors such as truancy\, illegal use of substances\, crimes against
\n\n property or violence.
\n\n The school support programs are just one of the many programs and services they provide to
\n\n residents of Anoka County and surrounding areas. Every year they serve than 4\,500 individuals
\n\n and families struggling with depression\, anxiety and other mental health issues.
\n\n As a charitable organization\, Lee Carlson Center offers sliding fee scales or no charge for many of
\n\n the services provided to uninsured and underinsured clients.
\n\n With state and county funding becoming less plentiful\, the agency is relying more and more on
\n\n individual and business donations and events like The Annual RoofRaiser to keep their doors open.
\n LOCATION: UID:e.380.142822 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260426T061244Z URL:http://members.metronorthchamber.org/events/details/4th-annual-roofraiser-kicks-off-on-9-16-and-runs-through-noon-on-9-17-09-16-2011-142822 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR