Captured Event

October, 09 2008 - Central Center for Family Resources (CCFFR) Open House/Fall Fest

Where: Main clinic in Fridley

When: October 9, 2008

Time: 4-7PM with ribbon cutting at 3:30

Host(s): Hosted by CCFFR

Presenting Sponsor(s): M&I Banks – Blaine & Sam’s Club in Fridley

Founders: Leah Carlson & Dean Sabby in 1979

Executive Director: Kathy Samilo

Staff: Patty Halvorson, Development/Marketing, Mary Kahle & Paula Okorafor – Clinical Director’s, Joe Wotruba- Director of Domestic Abuse Program

Speaker: Marya Hornbacher, Journalist & Author

Catering: Jensen’s Foods – Coon Rapids, MN

Music: Barbara & Gary Carlson

Of note: Keynote speaker Marya Hornbacher & Client testimonials from Anita & Christina (don’t want to use last names). Also, volunteer/advocate, Dennis O’Conner

Sponsors: M&I Banks-Blaine, Sam’s Club - Fridley
Event Partners: All Tent Party Rental – Ham Lake, Anchor Bank-Blaine, Bachman’s-Fridley, Caribou Coffee-Spring Lake Park, Exotic Pumpkins-Andover, Jensen’s Foods-Coon Rapids, North Metro Chamber-Blaine, North Metro TV-Blaine, Source One Graphics-Spring Lake Park, Twin Shot Photography-Minneapolis, Universal Color-New Hope, Wells Fargo Banks.
Putting a Face on Mental Health Photo sponsors:
Vicki Langemo – 3 photos
Sam’s Club-Fridley – 3 photos
Robert Walkowaik, Jr. – 2 photos
Dennis O’Connell, Jr. – 2 photos
Dean Prince-Tidbits The Paper
Maria Thrall
Stephan O.
Karl & Erika Scherman-Executive Real Estate Professionals, Inc.
W.P. & R.S. Mars Co. – Bloomington
Mark Halvorson
Terri Wright
In Celebration of Barry Magid
Carlos Nazareth Photography
In Celebration of Carlos Overbye
Kelley Larson – Redemptive Financial Services
Photography donated by Twin Shot Photography in Mpls.

Quote of the evening: “We’re putting a Face on Mental Health.”

Menu: BBQ Meatballs, Mozzarella Basil & Tomato kabobs, Sun Dried Tomato & Artichoke dip, Colossal Shrimp Cocktail, Veggies & Dip, Pumpkin Cookies & Bars, Hot Cider

Attendance: Est. 200

Attire: Casual

Special Thanks: To North Metro TV in Blaine for the wonderful video, Twin Shot Photography for the inspiring B/W photos

Florist: Bachman’s - Fridley

Event Coordinator: Patty Halvorson

Decor/Rental Company: All Tent Party Rental-Ham Lake & Bachman’s-Fridley

Board of Directors: Dale Jensen, Chairperson Gary Carlson Gretchen Zunkel Sue Butler Tim Culbert Jean Capra Mary Beth Siembeck Steve Nichol Casey Green

Blacktie Photos by: Andrea McKay

August Carlson
View all photos

Arriving at the event, one could see a tent, balloons, and a lot of people gathered in the parking lot in front of the Central Center for Family Resources. The Central Center provides mental health services to citizens of Anoka County. The organization is unique in that it will assist people regardless of their ability to pay. The event was to celebrate the opening of the Center's new offices. It was chilly out, but everyone seemed to be having a great time listening to a string band playing. Grownups sat in the big white tent talking and eating food from the buffet, and children ran around playing. The decorations were yellow and orange in celebration of the season. Little signs offering facts about mental illness stuck out of pumpkins. Inside the office lobby hung beautiful portraits of some the center's clients. People gathered in a conference room to watch a video produced by the organization. About an hour into the event, the crowd's attention was called to a number of speakers, all of whom were interesting and engaging. The highlight was Marya Hornbacher, a Pulitzer Prize winning author who suffers from mental illness. After the speakers finished, the string band returned to the stage, and kids resumed playing.