Fundraiser Celebrates Mental Health & Recovery

(St. Catharines, 2023) –

Canadian Mental Health Association, (CMHA), Niagara Branch invites the community to attend their in-person live Women & Wellness event on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Club Roma, 125 Vansickle Road, St. Catharines.

“It’s been a challenging few years for everyone and the demand for mental health and addiction services continues to increase,” said Tara McKendrick, CMHA Niagara’s Executive Director. “Our February event is both a fundraiser to ensure we are financially able to provide timely access to urgent, preventative and crisis intervention programs and services, as well as an inspirational social evening celebrating mental wellness and community.”

The 2 ½-hour event which begins at 6:30 p.m. includes an opportunity to network with other guests, enjoy personal charcuterie boxes, participate in a silent auction and draw raffles, and ruminate in the compelling entertainment provided by Niagara’s own Samantha Marchionda.

As a business owner, mental health advocate, professional singer, speaker, and writer, Samantha shares her personal journey through mental illness, alcohol addiction and recovery, through storytelling and song (contemporary, folk, and a little bit of soul). Fueled by connecting with audiences in the hope of inspiring and helping others along the way, Samantha uses her art and words in this authentic one-woman performance workshop to transform challenges into opportunities.

“CMHA Niagara is excited to showcase this uniquely empowering presentation, as well as a few special surprises throughout the evening,” said McKendrick. “We are extremely grateful to our community (men and women alike), who, over the past 12 years, have helped to raise over $300,000 to benefit CMHA Niagara services such as urgent support, same-day counselling, Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST), and Safe Beds.”

Tickets are $25 by advance purchase.. Gather your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours and register today by calling CMHA Niagara 905-641-5222 Ext. 2644.

A pre-event fundraising initiative includes an online auction where one lucky bidder will win a Meridian Community Centre Hockey Suite for 10 people, complete with refreshments and VIP parking. The winners will enjoy a Niagara Ice Dog hockey game against the Soo Greyhounds from the comfort of their private luxury suite on Thursday, February 23 in downtown St. Catharines. Generously bestowed by the City of St. Catharines as a fundraising mechanism for the organization, the online auction is accessible at https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/cmha-niagara-online-fundraising-auction-35229. Simply register to place your bid on this item valued at $1,000. The auction closes at 4 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Proceeds to benefit CMHA Niagara’s Women and Wellness event.

“Special thanks for the continued support from this community, our volunteer event committee, our sponsors, PenFinancial Credit Union, Bosch Rexroth, Coca Cola Canada Bottling Company, Unifor974, Kraun Electric, and all the local businesses who’ve donated so many sensational door prizes,” said McKendrick. “Together we are working to strengthen mental wellness in Niagara.”

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About Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara Branch

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Niagara Branch is one of a network of over 135 branches that offer mental health services in communities across Canada. 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 to the individuals (16 years and older) who use their services across the Niagara Region.

For more information: Karen Marazzo at 905-641-5222 Ext. 2644 [email protected]