William Hayes, President and Sally T. Osmer, Executive Director,
NAMI Mercer
To the editor:
On Jan. 11, nearly 200 people gathered at The College of New Jersey for Night Out with NAMI, the inaugural event of NAMI Mercer’s 25th anniversary year. In his keynote address, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, urged families to support their loved ones with mental illness: “Loving care can make the difference between a life of intense suffering and a life of recovery and hope.” Hughes pledged to advocate for public policies that ensure the best treatments for mental illness.
Night Out featured a lecture and concert of George Gershwin’s music performed by Dr. Richard Kogan, distinguished psychiatrist and concert pianist. Dr. Kogan performed “Rhapsody in Blue” and the overture to “Porgy and Bess” to an appreciative audience that honored him with four standing ovations. Following the concert, guests attended a benefit dinner and silent auction.
We thank the major sponsors of the event: Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, The PhRMA Group, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Alexander Road Associates, Courageous Recovery, Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare, Princeton House Behavioral Health, PNC Bank, and Roma Bank. Proceeds from Night Out will support the free educational and support services of NAMI Mercer, a nonprofit organization of families and individuals working to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness. Each year more than 3,000 people in Mercer County directly benefit from NAMI Mercer’s programs.

