Bright's Grove's Mike Weir took some time away from the PGA Tour Champions on Tuesday to take part in the Par 3 Challenge for Mental Health.
The event, held at Huron Oaks, is aimed at raising money toward construction of the Access Open Minds Centre for youth struggling in the community.
Weir is thrilled to be back home and supporting a great initiative.
"Some of the kids that I met with were saying that it's up to 90 days now before they can see a counsellor," said Weir. "Now, with this facility they'll be able to see one right away whether it's a crisis situation or an ongoing counselling situation."
In 2019, the Par 3 Challenge raised over $336,000.
Overall, the community has helped bring in over $2 million toward the $3 million goal. Around $1 million of that has been generated by the Mike Weir Foundation.
Bluewater Health Foundation Executive Director Kathy Alexander is grateful for the support, adding the need and the demand continues to grow.
"We've come to realize through COVID that people are isolated, and people aren't accessing care or resources," said Alexander. "The waitlists are growing with people working remotely and not having the ability to come together with their friends, their family, and their therapists that they might rely on. Cost implications have also obviously had an impact."
Alexander said the youth have been giving their input on how to create the perfect space.
"We're really, really thrilled," she said. "We had an opportunity for a very special meet and greet with the Spoken Hope youth community group. They've been the leading voices behind this, they've designed it and it's their vision. They're saying 'listen to us, this is what we need to be taken care of and to take care of ourselves and each other', and it's going to make such an impact."
Construction is expected to get underway this week at the former CIBC branch on Front Street. It's anticipated to be open sometime in March of 2022.
Residents can contribute to the cause by buying tickets for Bluewater Health Foundation's ongoing 50/50 draw at www.access5050.ca.
The deadline is September 8.
https://twitter.com/bwhfoundation/status/1432687343157264391
