Clayton resident raises $650 for NAMI of Johnston County at book signing event

Submitted by NAMI OF JOHNSTON COUNTY

CLAYTON — Clayton resident and writer Lauren Raguzin recently raised $650 for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) of Johnston County.

As a first-time author of a new book, “Women Standing Strong Together Volume II,” Raguzin decided to purchase books and host a local book signing with all sales benefiting the organization. The collaborative book features 13 other authors, including Raguzin's childhood best friend, Nicole Walker, who came to Clayton from New Jersey for the event at Draft and Vine.

Co-author Dina Baker from Mooresville also attended the event to sign books. Raguzin's story, "When GOD Came to my Pity Party," chronicles her year-long depression after experiencing her first career layoff, and her decision to partner with NAMI was a result of losing her best friend to suicide in 2021. Raguzin is passionate about helping others, but particularly devoted to raising awareness for mental illness based on her experience and the tragic loss of her friend.

Cara Chester, proprietor of Cara's Cakery, made and donated a cake featuring the book cover and a free raffle gift basket featuring a $25 gift card from Draft and Vine, Pampered Chef products and autographed copies of books, was awarded to Clayton residents Gina and Kyle Swiers.

This event also celebrated a 40-plus year friendship between Raguzin and Walker. In 2021, Walker was an author in a previous collaborative book, “Awakening the Consciousness of Humanity,” and her story, “Nothing is Random” about loss and death, healed Lauren’s heart after losing her beloved mother-in-law.

In October 2022, Walker asked Raguzin to consider being a co-author on her new project. According to Raguzin, Walker inspired her to take a leap of faith and share her story. And given the current economic downturn, Raguzin felt the timing was right to share her story to help others dealing with career layoffs.

Clayton resident and author Lauren Raguzin recently raised $650 for the National Association of Mental Illness of Johnston County through a book signing event.

Raguzin moved to Clayton in 2017. She has been writing since she was 10 years old and has been in communications for more than 20 years. She has always wanted to be a published author.

“I hope my story will help many,” she said. “It has been a healing and cathartic journey. I believe that sometimes the pain in life we experience occurs so we can have greater self-awareness about ourselves and maybe help others. My philosophy and how I try to live my life is “sharing is caring.”