Supporting the Eden Foundation was a unanimous choice for the staff of Valley Fiber for this year's 'Season of Giving.'
The 'Season of Giving' campaign is one way the company decides to give back each year. Until December 31st of this year, Valley Fiber will match your donations to Eden Foundation, the fundraising arm of Eden Health Care Services, up to $5,000.
Today (Tuesday, December 20th) is the big day for the Season Giving, with a mini-radiothon form 10am to 12pm on Country88 and Eagle 93.5. Special guests will be sharing stories of the work Eden Health Care Services is doing in the community, and how your donation will continue to impact those with mental health needs here at home. You can provide a financial gift now by donating through the Season of Giving website.
Jayme Giesebrecht is the Director of Development for Eden Foundation, and says the money the Foundation raises goes directly into mental health resources in our area, including Eden's Recovery of Hope Counselling Centre, which she notes has experienced an increase in counselling sessions. Around 5,000 counselling sessions a year are booked through Eden Health Care's Recovery of Hope counselling Centre, noted Giesbrecht. "We certainly have seen an increase in those (counselling sessions) and we have hired on more counsellors in the last year as well."
Giesbrecht said a big portion of the funds they raise through the Foundation goes to Counselling Services. She notes clients that go to Recovery of Hope, will pay based on a 'sliding fee scale. The client will pay based on their income. "So if someone's not able to afford the $100 session, well thankfully we fundraise, so we are able to cover the remainder of that, and make counselling accessible for everyone."
When it comes to mental health, it's real, and people are realizing how real it is, and how devastating it can be," said Kehler. At the same time, he said people are realizing there are folks that care too, and organizations that that can help.