Lakefield Herald Special Report

Party hoped to raise $100,000

by Anita Locke

A “Sizzling Summer Party” was held on Saturday night in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Peterborough branch.

It was held at the home of Farsad Kiani and his wife Joan Bush who own a residence in the area.

Organizers estimated there were about 400 people in attendance and/or who contributed to the event.

The evening featured a sumptuous buffet meal which included local organic beef – donated by Tom and Bella Ahrens and prepared by a chef, live music by Jimmy Bowskill and The Bandanas, live and silent auction, raffles, a fantastic fireworks show and other activities.

Live auction items included an 1890 birchbark canoe donated by Anne and Kirk Wipper (valued at $15,000), a painting by artist Alijan Alijapour (valued at $15,000), a Fender Telecaster guitar signed by legendary Ronnie “The Hawk” Hawkins (who was also in attendance with his family), and a raffle draw for a one week all-inclusive vacation to Cuba donated by Farsad Kiani.

The list of silent auction items was extensive, ranging from fiberglass sculptures by Don Frost, to a variety of artwork by such artists as Peer Christenson, Mary MacPherson, Glen Loates, Woodchuk Charlie; jewellery, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events and more.

Mr. Kiani also donated a wide selection of wines from his personal wine cellar.

The funds raised at the event will be directed towards a number of programs at the Peterborough CMHA office most prominent of which is the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

This program provides outreach and aftercare services for the most difficult to serve and those who are homeless in the City and County of Peterborough.

In addition, the CMHA has two health care professionals, a Registered Nurse and a Registered Practical Nurse who go to the streets to provide nursing care to the homeless.

The CMHA also operates a “money trustee” program to help people with their finances to ensure they are able to maintain and sustain housing, and to help them ensure that they have money to buy food.

Dr. Chawla, a psychiatrist who provides services to patients at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital, notes that at least 25 per cent of the population suffers from some form of mental illness; these include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, co-morbid or other disorders.

Those suffering from some form of mental illness, however, often feel stigmatized and do not always seek help.

“Events such as this,” says Dr. Chawla, “are good because they raise awareness of mental health issues.”

Farsad Kiani has businesses around the world and is President and CEO of the Ensil Group of Companies and Exceltion Medical Innovation.

The Ensil Group is involved in research, development and manufacturing of electronic systems and assemblies used in the fields of defense and aerospace. Exceltion Medical Innovation is primarily involved in research and development in the medical field.

He focuses his time on a diverse range of philanthropic endeavors, ranging from the support of health care in our communities to support of youth emergency shelters, food banks and scholarship funds.

In 2003, Mr. Kiani became a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee for meritorious service and citizenship.

Mark Graham, Executive Director of the CMHA – Peterborough office, told those assembled that, “We all have a vested interest in mental health. It is a part of all of our lives. There is not a facet of our lives that mental health does not touch. You can’t always tell by looking.

“When we hear of people who are physically ill we accept that the person is not well. It is one of life’s unfortunate circumstances. They really didn’t ask to become ill. We empathize with them. We support them. We often see mental illness however as something different, unacceptable, something to hide or something that we believe we shouldn’t speak openly about.”

Mental illness accounts for approximately 40 per cent of disability claims and sick leaves in Canada.

The World Health Organization estimates that by 2020, depression will be the leading cause of disability on the planet.

The goal of the CMHA Peterborough office was to raise $100,000; they ended up the evening with a total amount raised of XXXXXX.

The CHMA – Peterborough office has a client base of over 500 individuals. There are currently 200 people on waiting lists who are in desperate need of service.

For more information about the CMHA Peterborough office, call (705) 748-6711 or email info@peterborough.cmha.on.ca.

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