Compeer of Greater Buffalo Road 2 Recovery Race is 25 | Events

Continuing the tradition of the only race and walk in Western New York dedicated to mental health awareness, Compeer of Greater Buffalo will host the Road 2 Recovery Mental Health 5K Run and Wellness Walk at St. George’s Church and Delaware Park on Friday June 29, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

The Road 2 Recovery is a collaborative effort of providers, consumers, families, friends and caring community members dedicated to promoting awareness, reducing stigma and raising funds to assist individuals striving for good mental health. Proceeds from this event are awarded, in part, to local mental health consumers and providers to help our community continue to offer mental health research, rehabilitation and recovery.

Beginning as the Run for Brain Research and evolving over time to become the Road 2 Recovery, the local mental health community has worked to increase awareness of, and raise money for, those striving for greater mental wellness in Western New York through the annual event. Lynne Shuster and Mary Kirkland led the initial event, sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Buffalo and Erie County.

Compeer is pleased to announce that Karl Shallowhorn, senior counselor at Horizon Health Services, will serve as the Honorary Chairperson of Road 2 Recovery 2012. Karl, an avid runner, is the author of “Working on Wellness: A Practical Guide to Mental Health” as well as a noted public speaker offering unique perspective of both a clinician and consumer.

Karl is also a member of the board of directors of the Mental Health Association of Erie County.

This year’s event will include both a USA Track & Field-sanctioned 5K race and walk, as well as a 1.8-mile wellness walk. All community members are invited to attend this event, which features a family-friendly after-party with food, drinks, beer, wine, children’s activities and live music from local band Flipside.

For more information, please visit www.road2recovery.org.

Founded in 1985, Compeer of Greater Buffalo is a private, non-for-profit mental health agency. Our mission is to use the power of volunteer friends and mentors to improve the lives of children, adults, and seniors who are striving for optimal mental health. Currently, Compeer has nearly 500 people on its waiting list throughout Erie County.