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Fundraiser to bring attention to mental health

St. Joseph News-Press (MO) - 4/25/2015

April 25--When Julius Caesar's army crossed the Rubicon River in 49 B.C., it was seen as a crossing point of no return. The Center, a Samaritan Center, chose "Crossing the Rubicon" for its first fundraising event and to bring attention to the feeling people get who suffer from mental illness and contemplate suicide.

"We've never had a fundraiser -- a basic fundraiser," said Bud Salanski, director of The Center. "We've had walks and things like that, but this is a fundraiser."

"Crossing the Rubicon" will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Moila, 701 N. Noyes Blvd. The dinner and silent auction will help support The Center's mission of helping the mentally ill in the community.

Former St. Louis Cardinals football player Conrad Dobler will be the guest speaker. A tragedy in Mr. Dobler's life prompted him to help bring awareness about the importance of mental health services, Mr. Salanski said.

"When he was playing he was known as probably the dirtiest football player they'd ever seen. His life has completely changed," he said. "Part of that change that occurred in his life was when his wife fell out of a hammock and injured herself permanently and lost use of arms and legs and that gave him a new perspective of life."

The theme and impetus for the event also came from tragedy. A woman who survived the suicide of her son wanted The Center to do something to help other survivors, said Jennifer Rhoad, director of operations for The Center.

"She came to us with an idea, of course, since it is a way to combat suicide certainly, but also a way to support The Center," Ms. Rhoad said.

The Center serves people with more than 10,000 sessions a year. The need for mental health services is great in the community. Need is far greater than the ability to serve, Ms. Rhoad said.

"It helps The Center raise money to live our mission to serve everyone who comes to us to ask for help regardless of their ability to pay," she said.

For more information, call The Center at (816) 364-4300.

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