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Deputy fundraising in final stages
In the Wellness Council of Greater Colorado Valley’s crusade to raise awareness for mental health, one of their biggest victories was the adoption of a mental health deputy intended to respond to and resolve mental health crises within the county.
The concept behind the deputy is that those experiencing a mental health crisis can often be misinterpreted as residents who struggle with chronic mental health difficulties can also have difficulties participating in normal activities or even working. Many people experiencing mental health events have been sent to jail due to their crisis.
Deputy Andrew Lopez and other officers like him have the duty of recognizing those struggling with mental health and finding alternative methods of providing them support through treatment instead of incarceration.
Lopez is not only an expert in de-escalation, but he also regularly visits known residents with mental health struggles, developing a trusting relationship with each individual and leading to these residents even reaching out through call when they need support.
Representatives of the Wellness Council have raved about his attention to his post as well as the importance of the position in the county.
The position is the culmination of years of fundraising as the Wellness Council began the process with a ‘quiet’ campaign to raise money to cover the cost of affording a Mental Health Deputy for three years in the Sheriff’s Department.
Once the three years were completed, the Commissioners Court would move to make the position permanent within the Sheriff’s Department and include within its budget moving forward.
After two years of donations from individual donors and events, the Wellness Council has raised $275,000 of the $300,000 they promised to the county for the position. With just 25,000 remaining to reach their goal, they hope to secure the rest of the funds before their deadline in Mid-August.
Several factors have contributed to the success of this fundraising effort.
The Wellness Council began their mission with a large contribution from Todd and Morgan Barten who donated the entire first year of expenses for the position.
Seven churches committed to donating $100 a month throughout the entire 3-year period. The churches include Glidden Baptist, St. Paul Lutheran, First Baptist, St. John’s Episcopal, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Trinity Church, and First United Methodist.
The Brown Family Charitable Trust and The Jabez Foundation were some of the organizations that made significant donations as well. Brent and Dr. Mazie Leftwich, Jane and Rick Walla, Stan Warfield and his wife along with Jo Rae Crofton, DyAnn Lauzon and Kristina Pflughaupt are just a few of the several donors who also made significant contributions. Many others chose to be anonymous donors, hoping just to support the cause in any way possible.
The Wellness Council is hoping that the community will continue to donate to raise the final piece of their promised goal to accomplish providing Colorado County a dedicated Mental Health Deputy for the first three years of its existence.
Checks can be made out to The Wellness Council with ‘MH Deputy’ in the memo section and mailed to 212 Oak Cluster, Columbus, Tx 78934. Contact President Dr. Mazie Leftwich at [email protected] or visit www.wellnessgcv.org for more information on the Wellness Council and the fundraiser.
