Your empty bottles and cans can support youth mental health in our community.
This weekend, Nov. 5 to 7, Aurora resident Judy Brunton is collecting empties to raise funds for Canadian Mental Health Association - York Region and South Simcoe.
“I just want to get the youth in our area as much help as they can because they need it, they deserve it,” she said.
While longtime local fundraiser has high hopes for the bottle drive, which is a new initiative for her.
“The sky's the limit, I’ll take whatever I can get,” she said.
CMHA is a cause Brunton has been supporting for eight years, raising more than $100,000 — without any intention of slowing down her efforts despite reaching that goal.
Her sister was first diagnosed with mental illness when she was 15 but was able to get help as a youth. Now Brunton said she wants to make sure other youth have the some opportunity.
“I’m not going to stop. I need to raise this money because the programs that CMHA provides for the youth are so important so I just keep going,” she said.
Brunton said support from the community has become even more important during the pandemic as mental health concerns spiked.
“At the beginning (of the pandemic), youth couldn’t leave the house, they couldn’t connect with their friends. They can connect online with their friends but it’s not the same thing. Sometimes you need to have the person in front of you to make it more meaningful,” she said.
Even as things reopen more and the situation improves, CMHA is offering much needed support, she added.
You can drop off your empty cans and bottles at 17 Glass Dr in Aurora Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Brunton is hoping to secure drop-off locations in Newmarket and Richmond Hill.
Contact her directly if you wish to drop off bottles and cans in Bradford, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you would rather donate directly, you can send an e-transfer to [email protected]
