A local insurance agency is using its corporate charity fund to support the area efforts of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The Collingwood, Orillia, and Keswick Allstate Agencies have donated $10,000 to the Simcoe County chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association in support of its youth services, including drop-in centres, a 24-hour support line, and in-school counsellors.
Tammy Revie, the agency manager, said the charity was chosen because of the personal experiences of the Allstate staff, many of whom are parents.
“Our whole team has children, and we’ve noticed personally how (the pandemic) is affecting our children,” said Revie. “We could have chosen any charity in Ontario, but we felt this was a good choice.”
She said staff are also volunteering for the local chapter, and she’s currently in the process of becoming a volunteer for the 24-hour youth support line.
Additionally, Orillia, Collingwood, and Keswick agency staff will be helping the Simcoe County chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association organize, promote, and host their virtual gala.
“One thing we pride ourselves in – employees and Allstate – is being socially responsible and being involved in the community,” said Revie. “People are struggling through the pandemic and we want to do what we can to help.”
The money came from a corporate fund of $210,000 established for the purpose of supporting charities through the pandemic. The full $210,000 will be donated by community agencies to charities of their choosing.