Over 190 women, men, and youth from Oxford County and beyond came together on September 27th at South Gate Centre in Woodstock for Women & Wellness Oxford County’s 5th Annual Fundraiser to hear inspiring stories of hope, recovery, and resilience while showing support in eliminating stigma surrounding mental illness and addictions. Guest speakers Betty & Desiree Ford shared two powerful journeys through loss and mental illness, and recovery following a two vehicle crash on May 4, 2018. Guests of the sold-out event bid on a wide variety of beautiful silent auction items, and purchased raffle tickets for three Signature Baskets (Experience London, Experience Live Theatre, and Experience Wellness).
Through supportive partnerships between the committee, sponsors, and community, this year’s event successfully raised over $22, 000 for Oxford County Walk-In Counselling, the largest amount since the event’s local inception in 2015. This year’s success brings the five-year total for this event to over $80, 000 raised for Oxford County Walk-In Counselling.
“We are so proud of the supportive event we have grown together with our community,” says Jacqueline Walsh, Women & Wellness Oxford County’s 2019 Co-Chair. “Our guests are having open conversations about mental health and addictions, sharing their stories of recovery, and strengthening the resilience of our community. We all benefit from these stories being shared, as we continue to end stigma in our community together.” Walsh looks forward to the continued success of this event with strong community support.
This event was made possible through generous sponsorship from: Zonta Club of Woodstock; Destinations Travel and Cruise Centre; Caressant Care; Jennifer Gale, Re/Max a-b Realty Ltd; Uvalux Tanning & Support; Action Wellness; Vuteq Canada; Whitecoad LLP.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a nation-wide charitable organization that promotes mental health and supports the recovery of people experiencing mental illness. Women & Wellness is a unique and popular event that supports the important work of the CMHA. The money raised at the Oxford County event stays with the local branch and will assist CMHA Oxford and its partners to increase communication and access to the Walk-In Counselling services provided in communities across Oxford County.