REGINA — A three-month community campaign has turned spare change into meaningful support for mental health, with a $6,500 cheque presented Friday afternoon at a McDonald’s on Lewvan Drive to the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan.
The funds come from a donation roundup campaign held at McDonald’s locations across Regina, where customers were invited to round up their purchases in support of the organization’s Champions for Mental Health fundraiser.
Executive director Sean Barschel said the impact is immediate and far-reaching.
“For the last three months, McDonald’s all across Regina have been running a donation roundup campaign for us, and with the incredible support from them, they raised just over $6,000 for our Champions for Mental Health fundraiser,” he explained.
Those dollars go directly into programs that support individuals and families living with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses across Saskatchewan.
“Those funds are going to help us help a lot of people across the province get programming and get the help and support that they need,” Barschel said.
The cheque presentation comes on the heels of a record-setting year for the organization. The Champions for Mental Health fundraiser, held last weekend, brought in more than $100,000, the highest total in its history.
“This year was a record year for us,” Barschel noted. “We had a great attendance, and we raised over $100,000… it’s been a really great year getting out in the community, bringing awareness and helping those find the resources they need.”
For McDonald’s owner and operator Crystal Hermann, the campaign reflects something deeper than fundraising.
“We’re so excited for this new partnership for us this year,” she said. “It’s super important to be involved in community, and especially having you guys reach all of Saskatchewan.”
Hermann pointed to the province’s strong sense of connection as a driving force behind the campaign’s success.
“I love that here in Saskatchewan it seems that we all look out for each other, and it’s like a really community family, and that’s our McDonald’s values,” she said. “That’s what we support, and we’re so excited for this new partnership.”
The Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan provides education, advocacy, and support programs aimed at improving quality of life and reducing stigma around mental illness. Funds raised through campaigns like this help expand access to services in both urban centres and underserved rural communities.
Barschel said the momentum is continuing, with more fundraising events planned throughout the year.
“Thank you to the community for your support and for helping us reach out to those in need,” he said. “With all of your help, we can make a difference in mental health.”
