The Bluewater Health Foundation has deemed its seventh annual gala a success.
Executive Director Kathy Alexander said the event raised tens of thousands of dollars for mental health and addiction services.
"We were so thrilled with the success of this year's gala with Jessica Holmes, who not only was amazing and hilarious, but she helped us to raise over $70,000 for the ACCESS Open Minds partnership project that Bluewater Health is a part of with St. Clair Child and Youth and CMHA [Canadian Mental Health Association,]" said Alexander.
She said over 300 people attended the event at Huron Oaks October 17.
"Jessica's stand up act and her open and compelling story about her own experiences and struggles with mental health really resonated with people that attended, but also just made so many people laugh. It was a really fun evening."
Alexander said they're already planning for next year.
"We have some great ideas being planned. We have some great projects underway. Hopefully in the early new year we'll be able to announce who our speaker will be and we know that, if all things work out as we're hoping, the community will be so thrilled to attend again, in support of Bluewater Health."
ACCESS Open Minds Sarnia-Lambton is scheduled to open in downtown Sarnia next September.
The facility, which will help youth aged 11 to 25 and their families seek fast access to education, assessments, counselling and treatment, will be located in the former CIBC building at 190 Front St.
