A book sale was held last week at the Weyburn Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, with books donated by Blue Earth Environmental.
The event raised $1143.25, all from donations from about 100 people who visited the branch for the sale.
"We always do our book sale during Mental Health Week in front of Blue Earth, and then this year we tried something different by having it right before the beginning of school, so it worked out really well for us," shared Program Director Tasha Collins. "It was really great to have the community come and see the centre, as well. It helps to reduce stigma about coming into the building and it's beneficial, in a few different ways."
The funds will go toward the meal program at the CMHA Weyburn branch, which provides a hearty meal for anyone attending their programming Mondays through Thursdays.
"To put that into perspective in terms of cost, our grocery bill is approximately anywhere from like six to eight hundred dollars in a month, depending on what's being served in those months, so at least covering one grocery bill, if not one and a half."
Collins added a big thank-you to everyone who purchased books, as well as a big thank-you to Blue Earth Environmental.
"They've been a big support throughout the years," she said. "It's been really beneficial for our programs, our services, and the people that we're serving."
Rose McInnis, the owner of Blue Earth, has been serving on the Weyburn CMHA board, all the while also hosting book sales at her downtown business, since 2015.
"Our typical sidewalk book sale is during Mental Health Week but this was an add-on to help purge our book collection," she shared.
"I am a huge mental health advocate, and I feel the supports and services at the branch in Weyburn are important and necessary," McInnis added. "I have been a huge advocate of reaching out to our youth to give them tools to cope with life's journeys."
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