JASON SETNYK
The 7th Annual Mental Health Week Fundraiser hosted by Au Vieux Duluth raised a record-breaking $104,424 in support of community mental health initiatives across the region.
Organized in partnership with CMHA Champlain East, the event welcomed around 800 guests throughout the day for meals, entertainment, fundraising activities, and community engagement focused on reducing stigma around mental health.
Of the total amount raised, $74,000 will directly support CMHA programs and services in the region.
“We raised the most amount that we’ve ever raised at a fundraiser since I’ve been around, and that’s 20 years,” said Angele D’Alessio, Mental Health Promoter at CMHA Champlain East. D’Alessio credited the success to community generosity, dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and restaurant owner Alexandre Paradis and his staff at Au Vieux Duluth. “It was a collective effort,” she said. “The community was so generous. They came out in the largest numbers we’ve seen in seven years.”
The fundraiser featured one of three meal options with donations, a 50/50 draw, online auction, entertainment, tattoo drop-ins by Peace Machine Tattoo, and a Zumba fundraiser that was relocated indoors due to heavy rain. “We rolled out the red carpet and it was pouring rain, and people came anyway,” D’Alessio said. “The food was fantastic, the service was fantastic, and people are still talking about the event.”
Approximately 25 staff members and more than 15 volunteers helped run the event throughout the day.
Funds raised will support a variety of mental health education and wellness initiatives, including suicide intervention training, Mood Walks programs, grief support programming, and the organization’s upcoming Wellness College initiative.
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