Bill and Phyllis Wilmot.
NAMI Mercer is set to pay tribute to Phyllis and Bill Wilmot of Pennington at the 12th annual Night Out with NAMI benefit dinner and concert.
The Wilmots are set to receive the 2013 Pillar Award in recognition of their 18-year contribution through volunteerism, leadership, advocacy and charitable giving.
Bill Wilmot’s volunteer work for NAMI began in 1996, when he trained to teach the Journey of Hope course. He served as a board member from 1996 to 2006 and as president from 1998 to 2002.
During his tenure, the organization grew by more than 50 percent and committed to hiring its first paid executive director. He led the fundraising campaign for the expansion, which included a showing of A Beautiful Mind in honor of John Forbes Nash, Jr. For these and other achievements, NAMI National named Mercer the 2001 Affiliate of the Year.
Phyllis Wilmot’s’ served on the Mercer board for four years, the Intensive Family Support Services Oversight Committee for six years, the NAMI State Family Support Plan Committee for five years, and the Walk Committee for two years.
She also worked on the Helpline and is a long-term member of the Just Friends Committee, where she is pleased that consumers have assumed most of the leadership responsibilities.
In recognition of their volunteerism and advocacy for the rights of persons with mental illness, the Wilmots received the 2009 Mary Jo Codey Award sponsored by Family Guidance Center/Family and Children’s Services.
Over so many years, the Wilmots have used every opportunity to reach out as ambassadors for NAMI Mercer. At the Helpline, Phyllis’ hope is that every caller “will become connected to our programs of support and education and begin to feel the hopelessness fade.”
Night Out with NAMI is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Stuart Country Day School in Princeton.. The benefit dinner and concert features local jazz vocalist Wenonah Brooks, accompanied by saxophonist Houston Person.
Tickets for the concert only are $50 per person; tickets for the concert, cocktails and dinner are $150 per person.
Proceeds are set to benefit to NAMI Mercer, a non-profit organization that serves individuals and families affected by mental illness.
More information is online at namimercer.org.
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