Spreading warmth for others

Four students at Northumberland Regional High School decided to spread some warmth for mental health by turning a school project into a fundraiser for the Aberdeen Health Foundation’s Sandbar Mental Health Endowment, which they chose because it supports mental health programs locally.

Pictured: Jeanetta Millen, Emily Elliot, Chloe Marshall present the donation to Susan Malcolm of the Aberdeen Health Foundation. Missing from picture: Haley MacIntosh.
 
The fundraiser had students Chloe Marshall, Emily Elliott, Jeanetta Millen and Haley MacIntosh, making and selling hot chocolate in seasonally themed reindeer packages at the school.
The project was for their Leadership 12 class and though the students could do anything they wished they were inspired by their teacher’s personal experience.

Pictured: Haley MacIntosh and Jeanetta Millen at their fundraising booth.
“I have always been very open with my students in discussing my own struggles with mental health,” says Ruth Ann Murray. “ The students also know that the holidays can be a particularly difficult time for those suffering from mental illness, and they wanted to do something positive to respond to the closure of the hospital’s mental health unit. It was very special to see how they really took on this cause.”
One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness. The Aberdeen Health Foundation’s Sandbar Fund is dedicated to fostering mental health and wellbeing in Pictou County. The need is urgent and you can help by donating to Sandbar today. Visit www.aberdeenhealthfoundation.com/sandbar.
 

Posted: February 9, 2016