Here’s our calendar of annual events… visit this page later to find the specific dates for this year’s events.

The Snow Ball – This black tie gala is the Association’s largest fundraiser. It's a glamorous, yet fun-filled evening in early winter at a beautiful location, with cocktails, dinner, dancing and an awesome auction. The Association’s highest honors, the Silver Bell and Silver Key Awards, are presented to deserving individuals and corporations.

The 26th Annual Snow Ball, was held on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 at the St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark.  The Snowball included a live and silent auction, as well as music and dancing.  Music by Silk Pajamas and Bob Kuban Brass.    Click to see the Snowball Photo Album

The 26^th annual Snow Ball brought together 270 people to support the work of MHA.  Co-chaired by Norma Stern and Ralph Komlos, the event raised $45,000, which will be used to fund advocacy, education programs and services to people who suffer with mental illness. 

Presentation of the Silver Bell, Silver Key and Silver Bell Corporate awards highlighted significant contributions made by Senator Kit Bond, BJC Behavioral Health’s Mark Stansberry and the United Way of Greater St. Louis. 

The Silver Bell award, presented to Sen. Bond recognized his support of programs as diverse as Parents As Teachers, Head Start, and the System of Care for children with serious emotional disturbances. His legislative work has also included support for employment for people with serious mental illness and insurance parity for mental illness conditions. Most recently, he has been a strong advocate for the United States military and improved care, including mental health services, for veterans and active duty service personnel. 

The Silver Key award recognizes a mental health professional whose work, values and ethics contribute to the improved treatment and care of people with mental illness.  This year’s recipient was Mark E. Stansberry, Executive Director of BJC

(L-R) Mark Utterback, President and CEO of Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri, Ron Moitzfield, President of the MHAEM Board, Mark Stansberry, Executive Director of BJC Behavioral Health (Photo by Margaret Rambo)

Behavioral Health. Both within his organization and within the collaborative work of the community, Mr. Stansberry has made a significant contribution to changing public healthcare systems to increase access to care. Under his leadership, BJC Behavioral Health has moved toward better integration of substance abuse and mental health service systems, crisis and community-based treatment systems, and primary healthcare and behavioral service systems. He co-chaired the overwhelmingly successful Putting Kids First initiative for St. Louis County, which will increase access to prevention, early intervention and treatment program services; reduce child abuse and assure child abuse victims receive “best practice” interventions; reduce alcohol and drug abuse among adolescents; and, assure more children and adolescents challenged with serious emotional disorders will receive treatment.

Each year the Silver Bell Corporate award is presented to a corporation or organization that has shown commitment to mental health and wellness. This year’s recipient was United Way of Greater St. Louis. A long-time community partner, United Way funds nearly 200 local organizations. Whether helping people find the next meal, job training, job placement, or rent and mortgage assistance, United Way is there. United Way has supported the mission and work of Mental Health America since 1968. Each year United Way also supports the work of more than a dozen agencies specifically concentrated on the mental health needs of our citizens. Gary Dollar, President and CEO, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.