Monona Library Receives Donation of Books from Crossing Rivers Health Behavioral Health and Foundation
Contact: Sasha Kozelka
The Crossing Rivers Health Foundation and Crossing Rivers Health Behavioral Health team recently donated more than 50 books to Murphy Helwig Library in Monona, Iowa. The books were selected by the Crossing Rivers Health Behavioral Health team and feature a variety of topics relevant to both children and adults, including emotions, parenting guidance, and more.
The library in Monona is one of four libraries within the Crossing Rivers Health service area to receive a donation of these resources. The funds for the books were raised at the Crossing Rivers Health Foundation’s Golf Classic, held in September of 2022. More than $17,000 was raised for the Behavioral Health program. Funds from the event were also used to establish a scholarship for area high school students entering a social work, behavioral health or similar career field.
Crossing Rivers Health joins a number of area organizations working to address the mental and behavioral health needs within our communities and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and mental health. Lacie Anthony, Licensed Professional Counselor at the Crossing Rivers Health Center for Behavioral Health, shared, “Research shows that the more we provide information and talk about mental health, the more people are willing to access help when they need it.” Anthony added, “This donation of books is one way we can empower our community members with helpful information, in the comfort and privacy of their local library.”
Heidi Landt, Library Director, said, “We are always striving to provide resources to our patrons. By being able to provide this variety of materials in the safe environment of our library, we can help patrons feel comfortable enough to pick up that book that could help them on their mental health journey.”
For more information about Murphy Helwig Library, visit monona.lib.ia.us. To learn more about the Crossing Rivers Health Foundation or the Center for Behavioral Health, visit crossingrivers.org.
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Photo caption: Members of the Crossing Rivers Health staff and Foundation Board presented the Monona Library Board with a variety of books, for all ages, related to mental and behavioral health.
Pictured (L-R): Dalen Moser, Library Board Member; Shirley Seitz, Library Board President; Lois Garms, Library Board Member; Lacie Anthony, Licensed Professional Counselor; Ellen Zwirlein, Crossing Rivers Health Foundation Board Member; Mary Ann Koehn, Library Board Member; Pam Havlicek, Library Board Member; Jim Middendorf, Library Board Member; Erika Lenth, Library Board Member; and Sasha Dull, Foundation Director/Chief Development Officer.