Our NAMI Story

The Beginning

In 2000, our president, Glenda Pittard, had a family member receive a diagnosis of Bipolar disorder. As for most of us involved with NAMI, it is in knowing and caring for another that we start on the journey to gain knowledge and understanding.

Meeting NAMI

NAMI Austin Memebers were the only people who listened with empathy and provided a path to understanding. Glenda became active in NAMI Austin, participating in support groups, taking the Family to Family course, becoming a trained facilitator and eventually joining the NAMI Austin Board as Vice President of Publiciity.

Early in her multi-year tenure, the need for effective utiliaztion of the National Brand became vividly apparent. After designing, producing and donating stationery and other branded products and building the first NAMI Austin Website, we had a foundation to grow. Glenda spearheaded a successful grant application which provided funding for the first NAMI Austin Recovery Celebration in 2002. In 2003, the Irwin Foundation asked us to change our name to become a part of organizing and leading the Celebration Recovery events nationwide.

unCommonBond Inc shifted to a concertive effort to allow logo adoption and a unifited message easier and more economical for everyone involved; 3dASAP Promotional Solutions was born.

Highlights through the Years

Understainding the challenges first hand, led to developping solutions to serve every affiliate nationwide. The 3dASAP relationship was built through the grassroots network within the NAMI Affiliates; one Affiliate at a time. News of our pursposeful dedication to the cause, led other organizations to connect with us. It continues to be our pleasure to serve many other nonprofit organzations; including Court Appointed Special Advocates, Child Advoacy Centers, United Way, American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and many more.

In 2002, NAMI Austin had a very successful Recovery Celebration initiated by Glenda to honor the tremendous gains of her loved one and all those on the path to recovery. The event was funded by the first grant awarded NAMI Austin. By 2003, the NAMI Austin even lead to inquiries from the Irwin foundation to change our event name to Celebration Recovery, assist in managing their events nationwide and they would ensure funding for our future events. Glenda managed the growing event every year. In 2005, at the request of NAMI National and the Irwin Foundation, the Austin event date was changed in order to be an extension of the NAMI National Annual Convention in Austin. 31 community organzations came together in support of Mental Health, the marketing resources of 3dASAP contributed tremendously to the success of this event.

By 2003, 3dASAP had a successful automated website for the NAMI affiliates to reduce design and print cost for all products utilizing the official national brand. Our dedication to logo adoption, compliance and development has forever changed the visibility for NAMI. We are proud of what we have accomplised along the way with all the individuals at NAMI who see the importance and have accepted our assistance. To this day, NAMI National has never been charged for our developing technology, hosting or maintainence fees. Our intent from the begging was to say Thank you and be of support; it is why we exist.

In 2004, we attended our first NAM National event and the word spread quickly of our services around the country. Our exhibit would often have 6 tables with affordable branded products for attendees, give aways and organizational development products to ensure a professional presence for all affiliate offices.

In 2005, 3dASAP was awarded our first National NAMI Contract as the official vendor for NAMIWalks T-shirts, Walker Prizes, printed products, signage and more. 3dASAP maintainted the contract for 5 years successfully managing scheduling, distrubition, inventory and warehousing.

2007 was the year that 3dASAP's service was recognized by the communications department of NAMI National and we were awarded the first ever national license in the promotional industry and given the title of the Nationally Preferred Marketing Vendor. At this time, a complete redesign of our 3dASAP NAMI website was provided probono to enhance our ability to serve the nation. We became a permanent fixture on NAMI.org as the NAMI Store operating along side the NAMI National Book Store.

2010 marked the launch of the INKitz technology that was specifically designed to assist NAMI in raising more funds through the NAMIWalks event. Team t-shirts increase fundraising, we made it easier for everyone. We remain dedicated to developing technology in this realm of service.

2018, we once again revamped the NAMIStore to pull together the latest technolgy and provide an upgraded appearance that supports our new tagline. "A caring conversation can change everything. Branded products start a conversation." It is certainly a documented fact that most nonprofit participation (funding, volunteers, etc.) is based on that initial conversation. "What's NAMI?" should be music to your ears, 3dASAP makes sure the question is asked.

The future is very bright for our national collaboration with NAMI National. We are just getting started. Soon, single piece items will be customizable in NAMIStore.com, including t-shirts, banners, awards and other predesigned but customizable items. In addition, nationwide fundraising ideas and product lines are on the horizon.