| Silence Broken Breaking the Silence Huge Success! by Jessica L. Scharbor The evening began at the Hilton Garden Inn with Masters of Ceremony, Gary Yanosick and Brett Kelly, welcoming everyone with the evening's first door prize. As the Hood College's Psi Chi Club members checked guests in, bidding at the silent auction began! As excitement geared up over all forty-seven of our donated items, appetizers of shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops, and egg rolls were enjoyed! When guests began to stir around the tables, two different shades of blue, hand-painted flower pots were spotted as the table's centerpieces. Co-founder Debbie Scharbor said, "the flower pots represent the kind of growth our organization hopes to have in our community. We want to plant roots by helping family members of schizophrenics and those suffering with the illness by providing support, raising money for research, and providing an online library dedicated to resources for schizophrenia." Guests continued to place bids on various silent auction items as classical guitarist Stephen Tunstall delighted all the guests' ears with his peaceful tunes. Then, MC Gary Yanosick gathered the guests as he introduced Co-Founders Debbie and Jessica Scharbor. The two introduced the true founder, Joshua Scharbor, and discussed their experiences of dealing with a loved one, suffering from schizophrenia. Both ladies made mention of the several surrounding myths of schizophrenia. One of the biggest misconceptions was noted as loved ones not feeling comfortable talking about schizophrenia, in fact feeling shameful, and even bigger shame was noted as openly discussing schizophrenia. Jessica & Debbie Scharbor Dr. Will Carpenter Next to speak was Dr. William Carpenter, from the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. His discussion about schizophrenia, where we are in treatment now, specific treatments taken, and his fielding and answering of questions led to a successful evening. Dr. Carpenter said the most powerful statement of the night when he made reference to the fact that in America we would never allow someone suffering with a stroke to live homeless. As a stroke victim is disoriented, so are those suffering with schizophrenia and yet we allow them to live in the streets. The evening closed with a formal dinner, more bidding at the silent auction, and then the winners were announced! All in all, we contribute our success to all those who attended the event, and those who sponsored the event. We not only raised money for schizophrenia research, but we raised awareness and broke the silence! |
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