The Canadian Mental Health Association, 麻豆精选 and Interior Health host a Christmas Celebration for participants of their programs and services.
The aim is to provide a warm and welcoming environment, a nutritious holiday meal, and a gift for each of the nearly 200 guests. For many, this is the only celebration they will have this year.
To put the event on requires a signficant fundraising effort and this year $5,010 was raised 鈥� surpassing the $4,500 target.
鈥淭he spirit of giving is definitely alive in 麻豆精选,鈥� said Alison Kyte, Wellness Programs and Education Manager at CMHA 麻豆精选.
鈥淚n addition to the generous donations we received, we had many amazing volunteers.鈥�
The meal, a turkey dinner with all the fixings, was prepared by CMHA鈥檚 Kitchen Connections participants and served by a large team of smiling volunteers.
Another highlight was a visit by Anne McClymont Elementary鈥檚 grade six students, who serenaded attendees with holiday songs and then distributed handmade cards to every guest.
鈥淗aving the kids at the party made the experience event better,鈥� said one participant. 鈥淭he thoughtful message that one of the students wrote in my card was exactly what I needed.鈥�
For anyone else who finds the holidays a little stressful, CMHA 麻豆精选 has provided some practical tips and reminders at www.cmhakelowna.com/holidayblues
The CMHA 麻豆精选 Branch is a charity that promotes the mental health of all through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy and research. It is part of a network of more than 10,000 CMHA volunteers and staff in over 135 communities across Canada.
