6th annual HUGS Boo Bash fundraiser aims to help underserved mental health counseling needs

In 2009, Andrea Mamalakis Epting saw a need in the community desperately needing to be met — a lack of professional counseling services for the underserved.

It's a problem that continues to grow not only locally, but nationally as well.

According to the nonprofit, Mental Health America, in 2019, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 19.86% of adults experienced a mental illness, equivalent to nearly 50 million Americans. Add to that, over half of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment, totaling over 27 million adults in the U.S. who are going untreated, the MHA reported this year.

It was because of this growing need, that Epting founded HUGS, or Heads-Up Guidance Services.

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HUGS provides Chatham County’s under-served population with professional counseling services without using taxpayer dollars.

Its counselors volunteer their time and expertise to make counseling affordable to those who might otherwise go without these vital mental health resources. HUGS’ services are made possible by community donations and its team of longtime dedicated volunteers.

On Friday, Oct. 14, HUGS will host its 6th annual Boo Bash Masquerade & Casino Night at The Grandview Event Center at Hotel Tybee.

The annual event is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit, one it hopes will be a big boost to its fundraising goal of $4 million over the next five years to expand HUGS’ service area and establish an endowment fund.

“HUGS has always relied solely on community support to offer exceptional mental health care, but our new fundraising campaign will take us to the next level,” Epting shared.

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HUGS leaders say they plan to establish satellite locations in Brunswick and Bluffton, providing a wider geographic footprint to provide the same level of care to more Georgia residents.

"This strategic expansion will allow us to accommodate our existing clientele in these areas and will create the opportunity for additional communities in need to experience the benefits of HUGS’ unique approach to counseling services,” Epting added.

The group says 100% of individual tickets and sponsorship proceeds from the Boo Bash will benefit Commitment to Community, HUGS' expansion campaign.

The fund raiser will feature catering by award-winning chef Kirk Blaine, an open bar, live music, and entertainment by Master of Ceremonies DJ Renee LaSalle, of WIXV-FM Radio I-95.

Boo Bash guests will also enjoy casino games by Monte Carlo Productions, and buy tickets for major raffle prizes with funny money "winnings" from the Casino games.

It's a fun night for a good cause, one that reinforces HUGS' mission to make high-quality behavioral health counseling accessible to all, and to train and utilize compassionate volunteer professionals to meet the community’s growing counseling needs.

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HUGS volunteer counselors provide a range of much-needed services including addiction recovery counseling, abuse and trauma support, couple's counseling, youth services and more.

Leaders say its mission is based on giving a “hand up” rather than a “hand out” by encouraging responsibility and accountability, and promoting independence instead of dependence.

Tickets for the Boo Bash run $150 per person, which includes $1,500 in “funny money” to play the casino games. Boo Bash dress code will be formal attire (black tie optional) and in keeping in the spirit of the event, a masquerade mask.

For those looking for a positive way to impact mental health services in the Coastal Empire, Boo Bash is a fun opportunity to make a difference that counts.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah GA events: HUGS Boo Bash Masquerade & Casino Night Fundraiser