Tammy Collins-Rivers is on a mission to help mental health.
The “Chief executive wood whittler” at WoD Studio showcased her custom wooden signs at Club Belvedere last Saturday.
Assisted by her daughter Angel, the former Thorold resident joined a number of other crafters and vendors who displayed their wares, all of whom contributed towards funding mental health programs in Niagara through their booth rental fees.
For the second year, Jessica Kramer organized the craft/vendor show to pay tribute to her 29-year-old friend, who died as a result of suffering in silence with mental health problems. She told ThoroldNews that this year’s show surpassed last year’s in overall contributions.
That same 29-year-old was Collins-Rivers’ nephew.
“I think the Distress Centre is a much-needed service,” she told ThoroldNews. “It’s near and dear to me. I wish my nephew would’ve used the service five years ago and he did not, so I’m donating all proceeds to the Distress Centre. Then, whatever doesn’t sell today, I will bring to my workplace at CAA Niagara, and whatever my coworkers buy, I will give all that money, too. People just don’t realize what’s out there,” and sadly, succumb to suicide instead of asking for help, she added.
“We need to highlight the centre and normalize the conversation, and not see that (depression) as a weakness,” she continued. “We can’t assume that everyone is okay. I spent a lot of time with him. I was known as the favourite aunt.”
Booths offering tarot card readings, tie-dyed clothing, and tasty treats from Sweet Mama’s Pastry were among the many other vendors.
Asked why she did the show, Renee Rochefort from Sweet Mama’s Pastry replied, “The number one reason was the proceeds going to the Distress Centre.”
Julie Johns, a wellness advocate with doTerra essential oils echoed that sentiment, donating 20 per cent of her sales that day (emphasizing not profits, but sales) to mental health programs.
“I do want to help the Distress Centre,” said the mother of three children with special needs, “because we clearly need it, with all the suicide” being highlighted in the local media recently. “I’m very big on helping the community, and always happy to donate for a good cause.”
