August 2011 WEST CENTRAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

August 2011
WEST CENTRAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Affiliate of the Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
The ninth annual PADDLEPOWER, hosted
by West Central Behavioral Health, drew
150 paddlers and 80 volunteers for an exhilarating two-day trip down the picturesque Connecticut River on Aug. 20 & 21,
2011. Together, we raised a record
$116,000 for suicide prevention in our community.
With recent federal and state budget cuts,
the need to generate significant support for
emergency mental health services through
events like PADDLEPOWER has become
even more important.
PADDLEPOWER
raises awareness about
depressions and suicide
as serious public health
problems that can be solved. An estimated
37,000 people in the U.S. die by suicide
each year, and each suicide intimately affects an average of six survivors. With mental health treatment, people can recover
from depression and other mental health
conditions to reclaim fulfilling lives. PADDLEPOWER donations support West Central
Behavioral Health’s 24-hour crisis hotline
and other emergency mental health services provided throughout our community.
Pete and Ruth Bleyler have paddled, raised
money, and promoted PADDLEPOWER
since West Central Behavioral Health
hosted the first event in 2003. Last August,
they answered the call to serve as the Honorary Co-Chairmen of PADDLEPOWER 2011.
Ruth was a member of West Central’s
Board of Directors when the board gave
their approval to launch PADDLEPOWER in
2003. “We were skeptical, but it has really
taken off in the community,” she said. “It’s
really a very important event.”
Thanks in part to their status as cochairmen last year, Pete and Ruth raised
more funds in 2011 to support the cause of
suicide prevention and emergency mental
health services than ever before.
“It was an honor, and it was fun to do,”
Pete said.
Pete and Ruth, whose daughter has received services from West Central Behavioral Health, enjoy meeting other paddlers
on the river and hearing stories about
what led them to become passionate
about West Central and the cause of preventing suicide. For paddlers who have lost
a loved one to suicide, PADDLEPOWER is
“really a celebration of life,” Ruth said.
“What sticks out to me about it, is the energy level when everyone comes ashore,”
she added.
West Central Behavioral Health is extremely
grateful to the Bleylers and everyone else
who helped make PADDLEPOWER 2011 so
much fun and such a wonderful success.
And we can’t wait to do it again this summer!
Above: PADDLEPOWER 2011 Honorary Co-Chairmen
Pete and Ruth Bleyler of Hanover paddle their canoe on the Connecticut River as part of the colorful
flotilla of boats at last summer’s PADDLEPOWER,
which was held Aug. 20 and 21.
Below: Pete and Ruth at the annual PADDLEPOWER
Kickoff event in Lebanon in May 2011.
Don’t miss the 10th Annual PADDLEPOWER on Aug 18 & 19, 2012
WEST CENTRAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Generosity Makes It Happen
Generous support from individual donors keeps
us going strong! Your names will be published in
West Central’s FY 2012 Annual Report next winter.
Thanks to the following SPONSORS and IN-KIND DONORS
: The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation,
Mascoma Savings Bank, Larissa King, and the Hypertherm
HOPE Foundation
Paddling along the Connecticut River with friends.
Group photo time. Everybody say, “PADDLEPOWER!”
Mr. and Mrs. Langley get a helping hand from boat valets.
They have participated in all nine PADDLEPOWER events.
Page 2
: Eric Kasen of Hays Company, KIXX 100.5,
Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, TransCanada, Three
Tomatoes Trattoria
SPECIAL THANKS: Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, Allan’s Vending,
Alliance Data, American Legion Posts 22 & 25, Amidon Jewelers,
Angie’s Massage/Angie LaRocque, Arthur Whitcomb Block Plant,
Bagel Basement, Dick & Gloria Ballantine, Blodgett’s Sash & Door,
Carter Community Building Association, Casella Waste Systems,
Carpet Mill, Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, Coca Cola, The
Co-op Food Stores, Christie Plumbing & Heating, Craivins Market &
Deli, John and Alice Creagh, Crown Point Cabinetry, Dartmouth
College Safety Department, Eric DeLange, David Del Gallo of MetLife,
Doctors Who Care LLC, DOMUS Construction, Evans Group, Everything But Anchovies, EquipeSport, Farm-Way Inc, Fairlee Marine,
Rachel Frank, Frank’s Bargain Center, Furniture Finders, Grafton
County, Hanover Lions Club, Hanover NH Rotary Club, Hanover True
Value, Harpoon Brewery, Harrington House Inn, Robert & Deb Hawley,
Mike Heyl, John Hochreiter, Tim Hoehn, James Holley Memorial Fund,
Hornbeck Boats, David & Jody Horan, Hospital Hill Realty, Highview
Realty Inc., HSD LLC, Hubert’s of West Lebanon, Ice Cream Fore-U,
Jake’s Market & Deli, J&B Autoworx LLC, KIXX 100.5, Lake Sunapee
Bank, LaValley Building Supply, Lebanon Recreation Dept, Ledyard
National Bank, Dan Magoon, Mickey’s Roadside Café, The MoonTones,
Murphy’s on the Green, Newport Lions Club, Newport Sand & Gravel,
Ninety Nine Restaurant, North Country Smokehouse, Norwich Wines
& Spirits, North Business Services PC, Okemo Mountain Resort, Oriental Wok Teahouse, Sandy Orndorff, James Patterson, Peking Tokyo,
Priori-Tees, Paul Putnam, Bob Quaderer, Tom Reardon, Salt Hill Pub,
S&W Investment Co., Service Credit Union, Steve Schuchman, Sports
Authority, Stinson’s Village Market, Stateline Sports, Storrs Pond Recreation Area, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Twin Valley Estates, Sugar
River Bank, The Squids, Tozier's Restaurant, Trumbull House B&B,
Trumbull–Nelson Construction, Upper Valley Produce, WalMart,
White River Lion’s Club, WNTK Radio.
www.PADDLEPOWER.org
www.PADDLEPOWER.org
www.PADDLEPOWER.org
WEST CENTRAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Let the River Adventure Begin!
Paddlers set out Saturday morning under foggy skies that eventually gave way
to sunshine and a hot summer day - perfect for a trip down the beautiful Connecticut River. Our colorful flotilla of canoes and kayaks traveled from the
Orford Boat Launch to Wilson’s Landing in Hanover. At nearby Storrs Pond
campground, tired and hungry paddlers shared a feast of barbecued chicken
prepared by Dick and Gloria Ballantine and lasagna and salads provided by
Everything But Anchovies. Dozens of raffle prizes were won, and then everyone kicked back (or hit the dance floor) with rock music by the Squids.
Sunday’s Closing Ceremony is a time
to rest, remember, and reflect
After a fun night of dancing and dining with friends (and pirates!), paddlers
awoke early for breakfast near the shore of Storrs Pond. Vans transported us
back to Wilson’s Landing so we could continue toward our goal— to paddle a
total of 25 miles along the majestic river in support of depression awareness
and suicide prevention.
When we reached our destination, Kilowatt Park in Wilder, VT, boats came
ashore and paddlers were greeted by the soothing sounds of the Moontones, a local band whose members donated their time and talent to PADDLEPOWER and its important cause.
Volunteers served up a splendid BBQ lunch, with food provided by Stinson’s
Village Market. The closing ceremony began as it always does—with the
hauntingly beautiful sound of bagpipes played by James Patterson—and concluded with messages of hope and thanks by staff and supporters of West
Central Behavioral Health, including honorary event co-chairmen Peter and
Ruth Bleyler. Thanks to everyone who helped make PADDLEPOWER 2011
another fun and meaningful success.
OUR SUCCESS, BY THE NUMBERS:
• $116,000 total donations raised
• $33,000 from businesses and organizations
• $37,700 In-kind donations and volunteer hours
• 150 paddlers launched from Orford Boat Landing
• Nearly 80 volunteers took care of everything
Rock ’n’ roll by The Squids on Saturday night at Storrs Pond
The Moontones make beautiful music on Sunday morning
www.PADDLEPOWER.org
www.PADDLEPOWER.org
www.PADDLEPOWER.org
Page 3
WEST CENTRAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Board of Directors
David Evancich
Chairman
Norwich, VT
WEST CENTRAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
9 Hanover Street, Suite 2
Lebanon, NH 03766
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
WRJ, VT
Permit No. 192
Patricia Warren
Vice Chairman
Lebanon, NH
Scott Laughinghouse
Secretary / Treasurer
Newport, NH
Gert Assmus
Hanover, NH
Cathryn S. Baird
Newport, NH
Kristina E. Fjeld
Lyme, NH
Katherine Milligan
Thetford, VT
Phillip Stocken
Hanover, NH
Nancy J. Reardon
Enfield, NH
SAVE THE DATE for PADDLEPOWER 2012 - AUGUST 18 & 19, 2012
Carla M. Skinder
Cornish, NH
Alan I. Green, MD
Ex-officio
Hanover, NH
Suellen Griffin, MSN
Ex-officio
President / CEO
Grantham, NH
West Central Behavioral Health’s mission
is to reduce the burden of mental illness and
improve the quality of life in our community. We
commit ourselves to provide services that are safe,
effective, client-centered, timely and efficient.
Diane Roston, MD
Ex-officio
Medical Director
Hanover, NH
We offer counseling, psychiatric, case management,
emergency, and rehabilitative services to children,
teens, adults, and elders in our Claremont,
Lebanon and Newport locations.
Kirsten Barnum
Fellow
Tuck School of Business
Hanover, NH
Our Emergency Services staff is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
James Kanter
Fellow
Tuck School of Business
Hanover, NH
Page 4
Call 1-800-564-2578
Special thanks to Karina Arnold, Vicky Pridgen, and
Kristen Senz for providing photos for this newsletter
www.PADDLEPOWER.org