CMHA Niagara to host fundraiser

(St. Catharines, March 25, 2025)

The community is invited to celebrate mental wellness at Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Niagara Branch’s 14^th Annual ‘Wellness for All’ event on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 9 pm at the Ovation Room, (formerly Club Castropignano), 1311 Egerter Road, Thorold.

“We are excited to introduce some fun changes to our signature event, not the least of which is changing the date from winter to spring to better align with Mental Health Week” Tara McKendrick, CMHA Niagara’s Executive Director. “We’ve also put the fun back in fundraising with a fast-paced “Toonie Paddle Party” with over 50 chances to win fabulous prize package bundles.”

A $30 ticket gains entry to the event with a keynote address by author, international speaker, and psychotherapist Julie Christiansen on the topic of “How to Create Radical, Positive, Lasting Change” for personal wellness. Tickets also include family style food platters serving crudité, dip, assorted flatbread pizza, gluten-free rice balls, and desserts, and raffle prizes.

The Paddle Party element showcases prize bundles valued at over $100. The first round has participants at all tables choose to “bid” a toonie for a chance to win the featured prize. The caller announces a number, and those individuals still standing can opt to toss in one more toonie in the hope that their table number is then called. The person with the winning paddle at the winning table takes home the prize. Come and bid or just come to watch the fun!

“With 50 featured prizes, the hope is that everyone will get in on the action to win a big prize for only $2 to $4 per round,” said McKendrick. “With a roomful of bidders, the toonies can add up quickly, helping us achieve our fundraising goals. Proceeds are used to help us fill service gaps and provide timely access to urgent, preventative, and crisis mental health and addiction services to people in our community.”

“We are very thankful for our generous sponsors to date:  Doane Grant Thornton Foundation, PenFinancial, Haver & Boecker Canada, Unifor Local 973, and WMKL, to our emcee, Ruth Unrau, 610 CKTB radio host, community builder, and gender equity advocate, our auctioneer Carrie Zeffiro, and to  all the individuals who show their support through ticket sales and prize donations”.

Event tickets are on sale now until May 1. Seating arrangements will be created, so fill up a table of eight, or come solo and meet some new friends! For more information, to donate a prize, or to purchase tickets contact [email protected]  905-641-5222 Ext. 2644, or visit our events tab on the CMHA Niagara website at www.cmhaniagara.ca

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About Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara Branch

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Niagara Branch has served the Niagara community for 58 years. It was formed in 2001, as an amalgamation of CMHA St. Catharines and District Branch and CMHA Niagara South Branch. CMHA Niagara is recognized as a solid service provider and an effective contributor to the community mental health system. It has skilled staff and a good partnership of board, consumers, family members and professional service providers that ensures programs are current and as efficient and effective as possible. In 2024 the agency served 8,772 individuals with an additional 8,035 telephone interactions.

For information visit our website’s EVENTS Tab at www.cmhaniagara.ca

For tickets call 905-641-5222  ext. 2644