The American Psychiatric Foundation will host its annual benefit, this year
titled "Georgia on My Mind," at the High Museum of Art on
Saturday, May 21, in Atlanta. Participants will be able to tour the museum's
exhibitions and permanent collection of art, enjoy nouvelle Southern cuisine
and live music, and participate in a silent art auction.
"This year's benefit promises to be unforgettable," said
foundation president Altha J. Stewart, M.D. "The High Museum is a
wonderful venue for enjoying an evening of Southern hospitality, greeting new
friends and old, and recognizing our colleagues for their outstanding
philanthropy."
In addition to raising awareness and support for the foundation's
philanthropic mission, "Georgia on My Mind" will honor recipients
of the second annual Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health (see
page 3) and recognize
individuals who have achieved membership in the foundation's highest levels of
annual and lifetime giving.
The foundation will introduce a new feature at this year's benefit, a
silent art auction. Proceeds will benefit Skyland Trail, the foundation's
Atlanta community partner and the APA 2004 Psychiatric Services Gold
Achievement Award winner for community-based programs. Skyland Trail offers an
innovative art therapy program, and a unique selection of artwork created by
Skyland Trail clients will be sold at the silent auction along with favorites
such as vacation and travel packages.
"We are thrilled to be the foundation's partner in `Georgia on My
Mind,'" said Elizabeth Finnerty, executive director of Skyland Trail."
This event will showcase the artistic achievements of many Georgians
recovering from mental illness while also reducing the stigma associated with
mental illness. I can only imagine how exciting it will be for our artists to
have their works actually displayed and sold in a museum."
Tickets are $150 per person, of which $100 is tax deductible. In addition,
both individuals and corporations can support the benefit through in-kind
contributions to the silent auction, event supporterships, and advertisements
in the foundation's silent auction program and catalogue. The price for a
quarter-page ad is $75, a half-page ad is $150, and a full-page ad is
$200.
The benefit is supported by a number of industry donors, including
AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, Abbott
Laboratories, Cyberonics, Forest Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Otsuka
America Pharmaceutical, Wyeth, and Professional Risk Management Services.
Tickets for "Georgia on My Mind" can be purchased at the
foundation's Web site at<www.psychfoundation.org/aboutapf/events.cfm>
or from Mary Claire Leftwich at (703) 907-8512. More information on silent
auction donations, event supporterships, and ads in the silent auction program
is available from Michele Werner by phone at (703) 907-8519 or e-mail at
mwerner@psych.org.▪