To NAMI CC Members and Friends,
The Board of Directors and our CEO Gigi Crowder would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to everyone who participated—volunteers, staff members, directors, sponsors, donors, community partners, and attendees—to make NAMI CC’s 2026 Crab Feed the most successful to date, featuring: ALL YOU CAN EAT Dungeness Crab, Corporate Sponsors, Live Band Performance by the Chris Cole Band, Host Dave Clark from KTVU, Auctioneer Extraordinaire, David Aahl and singing sensation, January. All proceeds of the Crab Feed Fundraiser support NAMI Contra Costa programs and services.
We made miracles happen on Sunday, March 8 at our annual Crab Feed Gala this year at Centre Concord. We woke up that day with a cup of ambition. Money from supporters was shared across the community with the Bidding numbers in the back of the Program for the evening, which explained our Fund the Need this year. We encouraged NAMI Contra Costa active peer, Donald Lang, to share his story of what losing benefits would mean for him, much like so many individuals and peers go through.
Much like senior citizens, those who live with mental illness are highly at risk to lose their financial entitlements. Studies show 32% of those with psychiatric conditions lose their benefits through assessments. This disproportionate loss increases risks of financial insecurity, reduced access to care, and exacerbation of existing health conditions. Losing benefits increases the risk for many to be unhoused.
Community members were eager to bid $50-$1000 so our cause started adding up swiftly! We humbly asked you to contribute what you can so that NAMI CC can be saved and continue to provide support, outreach, education and advocacy to individuals living with and families impacted by mental illness and the broader community. Several very respectful and impactful sponsors were table guests who showed up to stand proud with us in unison of mental health awareness, including with our Leave No One Behind unsheltered outreach and Peer to Peer recovery signature program, and multicultural support groups facilitated by Certified Peer Support Specialists the lived experience model.
We offered a glamorous live auction, silent auction, games, dessert dash, and outstanding live entertainment from our Hosts of the evening. It was a special family and friend event as all laughed and danced near the end in unison and joy.
Sponsors
A special “thank you” to our Sponsors this year, John Muir, AssetMark, Crestwood Behavioral Health, Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Mark and Judy Cohen, Wanda Johnson, Psynergy, Mechanics Bank, The 5MS, Reuben Borg Fence, and Telecare Corporation.
All proceeds went towards NAMI CC programs and services.
