Newfoundland & Labrador Mental Health Initiative Receives $40,000 Donation Before Christmas
It’s December 2019 in Newfoundland and Labrador and while the weather outside might be chilly, there’s a warmth in the hearts of those in our amazing province this Christmas season. This, of course, comes with no exception to TaDa! Events and other big key-players such as BHP, Halliburton and ClanMac/Growlers in this years Our Divas do Christmas show.
Opening night for Our Divas do Christmas took place on December 5th at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre where many show-goers have been patiently waiting with warm hearts and joyous smiles as family members and long-awaited friends come home to Newfoundland and Labrador from away. Surly, there is no better entertainment event to partake in during the early days of December than taking in a live show with the ones you cherish most. Christmas is a time for joy, sharing what we have with one another and more! For all of the organizations, businesses and performers involved in this years production, giving back is a big theme for them, especially when it comes to aiding the Pottle Centre, a very important mental health initiative centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
In this years Our Divas do Christmas show there’s over 150 performers, dancers, musicians, and more! That number includes both the Youth and Children’s Choir, of course! With all of the magic in the air in the spirit of giving back after a sold out show on Thursday night, Leanne Lewis of the Pottle Centre was presented with cheques from BHP, Halliburton and ClanMac/Growlers totalling $40,000 for the Centre.
“The Pottle Centre began in 1980 and is named for one of its founding members, Dr. Clarence Pottle who was a brilliant Psychiatrist. We offer free activities and services to our members as most of them are on a very limited and fixed income. Each day, activities are planned that promote socialization in a safe and warm environment that is free from alcohol, drugs, and violence. The people who attend the Pottle Centre have complex mental health issues and are often quite vulnerable. Our members live with Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Schizophrenia and Addictions to name but a few. The Pottle Centre provides service to a vulnerable population who struggle with everyday living and may be limited in financial, food security, social, emotional, and other supports and resources,” says Leanne Lewis,
Executive Director of the Pottle Centre.
Producer and Director, Terri Andrews says, “Our Divas choose a charity or charities every year and we use the show to promote the charity and the donors. They get the profile from all our marketing but their donations go directly to the charity along with proceeds from our box office. Through the year TaDa! Events also supports individuals and organizations through smaller donations and scholarships.”
For Divas Originating Producer and Public Relations Manager, Sheilagh Guy Murphy, she believes it takes more than one person or entity to help a community… it takes a community, or a common unity to aid those in need. After-all, this is who Newfoundlanders and Labradorians stand for. For Murphy, an important part of that community comes in the form of the performers and audience all the way down the line to the shows amazing donators and supporters.
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