4th Annual RoofRaiser Kicks off on 9/16 and runs through noon on 9/17

Description

Local leaders will once again camp overnight in their communities to raise dollars

 and awareness for mental health.

Dollars raised benefit Lee Carlson Center™ for Mental Health & Well-Being, a 501 ©(3) non profit

that has been providing mental health services to individuals and families for over 30 years.

Every year, over 4,500 residents of Anoka County and the surrounding Northern Suburbs are

served by the center.

According to Lee Carlson Center Executive Director, Kathy Samilo, “As the primary provider of

mental health services in the Northern Suburbs and with funding less plentiful, we’re relying more

and more on events like The RoofRaiser to fund the programs and services we provide to the

communities we serve.”

The RoofRaiser is the brainchild of former Spring Lake Park Mayor, Bob Nelson, who in 2008

camped on the roof of Spring Lake Park High School, raising over $5,000 for Lee Carlson Center™.

Nelson was unable to make a donation from the city, so this was his way of supporting a cause he

truly believed in. In 2009 and 2010, other Mayors and public officials supported this effort by

camping out in their own communities.

In 2011, the RoofRaiser will be held in seven communities and 15 local dignitaries will be camping

out.

RoofRaiser Overnight Host Site

Bob Ramsey, Ramsey Mayor & Mike Jungbauer, Coborns in Ramsey

MN State Senator

Gary Peterson, Columbia Heights Mayor & State Top Value Liquor in Columbia Hts

Senator Barb Goodwin

County Sheriff, James Stuart & Coon Rapids Mayor, Bennigan’s in Coon Rapids

Tim Howe

RoofRaiser Overnight Host Site

County Commissioners Robyn West & Rhonda The Club in Blaine

Sivarajah, along with Tidbits Publisher Dean Prince

Scott Lund, Fridley Mayor & Barb Goodwin, BoB’s Produce in Fridley

State Senator

Anoka City Manager, Tim Cruikshank & Serum’s in Anoka

County Commissioner, Matt Look

State Senator, Michelle Benson & Andover Tanners Station in Andover

City Council member, Sheri Bukkila

Each RoofRaiser has been challenged to raise $2,000 in support of mental health services

provided by Lee Carlson Center in their community. RoofRaisers will be lifted to their overnight

sites by the local fire departments at 6pm on Friday the 16th.

“We’re thrilled that this event gains new momentum every year. We’re so grateful to these

loyal RoofRaiser’s for taking time out of their busy schedules to support our agency” says Patty

Halvorson, Marketing/Development Manager. “We’re also excited to be partnering with seven

local businesses who are hosting the RoofRaiser this year.”

Donations can be made several ways:

1) Online via credit card at www.leecarlsoncenter.org

2) Through cash or check donation:

Mailed or dropped off anytime to: Lee Carlson Center

7954 University Ave. NE

Fridley, MN 55432

Attn: Patty

3) Or, by stopping by one of the RoofRaiser sites any time between Friday, 9/16 at 6pm up

through Saturday, 9/17 thru noon.

4) The public is also invited to a RoofRaiser kick-off on Friday, 9/16 from 4-5 pm at BoB’s

Produce (also the Fridley RR site). Culver’s Jammers, a local bluegrass band will be performing

and finger foods and treats will be served. Donations can be made during the kick-off.

Your RoofRaiser donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent by law. All RoofRaiser donations

help support the many mental health services provided by Lee Carlson Center.

Those interested in participating or in learning more about Lee Carlson Center can visit our

website at www.leecarlsoncenter.org or contact Patty at 763-230-7836.

About Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health™ & Well-Being:

For more than 30 years, Lee Carlson Center has provided prevention and early intervention

programs to schools. They currently serve 20 schools K-12 in four school districts. More than

1,600 youth participate in these free programs every year, targeting those who have engaged in or

are considered at risk for behaviors such as truancy, illegal use of substances, crimes against

property or violence.

The school support programs are just one of the many programs and services they provide to

residents of Anoka County and surrounding areas. Every year they serve than 4,500 individuals

and families struggling with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.

As a charitable organization, Lee Carlson Center offers sliding fee scales or no charge for many of

the services provided to uninsured and underinsured clients.

With state and county funding becoming less plentiful, the agency is relying more and more on

individual and business donations and events like The Annual RoofRaiser to keep their doors open.