VAUGHAN, ON, Oct. 19, 2020 /CNW/ - Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations (CCHF) is proud to announce that the A Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative has raised over $2 million for mental health programs across Canada as part of its first fundraising campaign.
Between September 17 and October 1, 2020, Canadian grocery shoppers had the opportunity to donate to the A Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative through a fundraising campaign organized by Empire Company Limited, Sobeys Inc. and their associated banner stores (Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Farm Boy, Foodland, FreshCo, Lawton's Drugs, Thrifty Foods, Co-op, Need's Convenience, Pete's Frootique & Fine Foods, Rachelle Béry, and Voisin) across the country.
A Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative is a long-term initiative generously supported by the Sobey Foundation and Sobeys Inc. in partnership with CCHF. The initiative funds local mental health programs supporting specific provincial needs at 13 children's hospitals across Canada. With more than one million Canadian children and youth affected by mental illness, now is the time to build a Canada-wide circle of support for children. We need to prioritize and help kids while they're still kids, giving them the best possible chance to thrive.
"When Canadians throw their support behind raising funds and awareness for such an important cause like child and youth mental health, it speaks volumes," said Mark Hierlihy, CEO of Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations. "Regardless of where people live in Canada, children and their families are impacted by mental health. Now more than ever, we must focus the spotlight on this, and how children's hospitals across Canada are working hard to ensure the right care is delivered at the right place at the right time. Empire and Sobeys Inc. teammates demonstrated incredible commitment and enthusiasm while fundraising in their stores and for customers to donate more than $2 million in such a short time frame shows that Canadians believe in what we are doing to help. On behalf of the 13 children's hospital foundations across Canada, I want to express our heartfelt thanks."
100 per cent of the funds raised in a community are being directed towards priority child and youth mental health programs at the local children's hospital. The 13 priority programs are:
- BC Children's Hospital Foundation – Supporting Mental Health Care for Kids through Education
- Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation – Advancing and Personalizing Treatments
- Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation – Enhancing Urgent Mental Health Services
- Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation – Creating Safe Environments for Care
- The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba – Creating Care that's Closer to Home
- Children's Health Foundation – Knowing the Signs
- CHEO Foundation – Helping Those at Risk
- McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation – Reducing Teen Suicide Together
- SickKids Foundation – Providing a Success Roadmap
- The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation – Making Care More Accessible
- CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation – Creating Excellent Care
- IWK Foundation – Partnerships to Transform Care
- Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation – Advocating for the Vulnerable
For more information on A Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative, you can visit afamilysupport.com.
About Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations
Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations (CCHF), established in 2017, is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds for a national network of hospital foundations as the largest single, non-government funder of child health in Canada. CCHF continues to receive generous support through donors within Children's Miracle Network® as well as contributions from additional companies and donors. Together, we represent 13 of Canada's children's hospitals where the greatest challenges are tackled; our hospitals see the most critical cases. Your contribution helps your local children's hospital ensure that all sick and injured children have access to the very best care from coast to coast.
About the Sobey Foundation
The Sobey Foundation was founded in 1982 by Frank H. Sobey and his three sons, Bill, David and Donald. The Foundation's giving is rooted in the Sobey family's continued commitment to improving the lives of individuals through investments in health, education and community. Although it works with organizations across Canada, the Sobey Foundation primarily supports organizations whose activities make a difference in Atlantic Canada.
About Empire
Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A) is a Canadian company headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. Empire's key businesses are food retailing and related real estate. With approximately $27.2 billion in annual sales and $14.8 billion in assets, Empire and its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 127,000 people. Additional financial information relating to Empire, including the Company's Annual Information Form, can be found on the Company's website at www.empireco.ca or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations
Brady Hambleton, VP, Marketing, Engagement & Analytics, CCHF, (647) 336-2024, [email protected]; Karen White-Boswell, Director, External Communications, Sobeys Inc., (416) 779-2319, [email protected]
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