Decorated Christmas trees are set up at Lambton Mall as part of a fundraiser to support youth mental health and suicide prevention.
The Sarnia Community Foundation (SCF) and Talk for Tamara (TFT) charity fund recently launched the inaugural Tamara's Trees of Hope initiative on November 24. The fundraiser will run throughout the week until December 3.
SCF Executive Director Mike Barron said a display of decorated Christmas trees with an array of gifts under each of them was set up, in front of HomeSense and Marshalls.
Barron said the total combined value of the trees and gifts is $8,400.
"It'll be a raffle so you'll purchase a ticket. If you like tree number one then you can put your ticket in [for] tree number one. Then there'll be a draw on December 3, where we'll draw six winners who will take home the trees and all the contents that are under the tree," he said. "One ticket is $2, you can get three tickets for $5, or you can get a book of 15 for $20."
Barron said each tree is themed and will include different types of gifts. SCF entered an entertainment-themed tree to be raffled off.
"Under our tree, there'll be a 50-inch television, there's tickets to a London Knights and Sarnia Sting hockey game, there's tickets to the International Symphony Orchestra, a $100 gift card for groceries, and a $100 gas card," Barron said.
A fundraising goal has not been set as this is the first year for Tamara's Trees of Hope. Barron said the intent is to make this an annual campaign.
Funds raised through the raffle will support local agencies involved in suicide prevention and youth mental health. Barron said Lori Lumley, who launched TFT, works closely with agencies to support education courses in mental wellness.
Lumley, a fund holder with SCF, started the non-profit legacy charity fund in memory of her daughter Tamara Lynn Lumley. The teen tragically passed away in October of 2018.
Fourteen sponsors stepped up for Tamara's Trees of Hope. Marquee sponsors include Lambton Mall (for providing the space), Carpenters Local 1256, Bluewater Power, L'Heureux Financial Consulting Inc., Kelly Steeves from Royal LePage Sarnia Lambton, Essential Bedding & More, Part Source, Piers, Sarnia Lambton Association of Realtors, Parklane, and SCF.