Rochester Community Hits Incredible $450,000 Mental Health Milestone

If you've lived in Rochester for any length of time, chances are you've heard about Whistle Binkies' fundraiser for NAMI Southeast Minnesota.

It's become one of those community traditions that rolls around every year. People show up, have a good time, raise some money... and then do it all again the next year.

And after a decade of doing exactly that, the impact is absolutely incredible.

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Today (Tuesday, August 4), Whistle Binkies is presenting another $69,286 donation to NAMI Southeast Minnesota. That pushes the total raised through its annual fundraising events to more than $450,000 for local mental health programs and suicide prevention efforts.

No, that's not a typo. Nearly half a million dollars has been raised right here in our community. And the best part, every dollar stays here to help people in Southeast Minnesota.

How's the money raised? With three annual favorites: the Bloody Mary Bar, the Whistle Binkies Old World Pub Anniversary Party, and the golf tournament at Whistle Binkies on the Lake. Every ticket purchased, sponsorship, donation, and person who shows up helps make that total a little bigger each year.

What makes it even better is where the money goes.

NAMI Southeast Minnesota uses these donations to provide free mental health education, support groups, peer support, advocacy, community outreach, and suicide prevention resources for individuals and families across our area.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of Whistle Binkies, their staff, customers, event participants, sponsors, and everyone who makes these events possible. This support allows NAMI Southeast Minnesota to continue offering free programs and resources to individuals and families affected by mental illness, while also expanding suicide prevention efforts across our region. - Aaron Nathan, Board President of NAMI Southeast Minnesota.

Today's check presentation celebrates another incredible year of giving, but it's also a reminder of what can happen when a community continues to show up year after year. More than $450,000 later, it's clear this tradition has made a real difference for countless people across Southeast Minnesota.