Our Friends of the Riverfront

Are you familiar with Friends of the Riverfront? It is a local, non-profit organization that has been involved in creating nearly all of the trails you see as you bike, hike, rollerblade or paddle along Pittsburgh's shores. Friends of the Riverfront has been instrumental in transforming industrial wastelands along our rivers into scenic trails that exemplify environmental renewal.

Not only that, but they are friends -- just like the name implies. For the past two years, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania has worked closely with Friends of the Riverfront to plan its first two NAMI Walks, which took place on the Heritage Trail in the South Side. Executive Director Tom Baxter went above and beyond the call of duty, helping in any aspect of pre-event planning and day-of labor. He didn't bat an eye when our walk manager called him in the middle of the night to help locate missing Port-o-Johns for the walk!

As we begin the planning of NAMI Walk 2009, we look forward to working once again with Friends of the Riverfront.

Don't forget to mark your calendar to join us on the Heritage Trail on Saturday, Oct. 4 for the third annual NAMI Walks for the Mind of America 5K.