Volunteering a family affair
Rainey family a big help to CMHA Kawartha Pine Ridge programs such as new wellness tool kits
Jim and Mary-Jane Rainey are two local volunteers who just can’t help enough.
They’ve been volunteering with their son, Daniel Rainey, at the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (CMHA) on a regular basis.
“It’s like giving a donation to the CMHA,” said Jim. “Every family in Canada has been touched by mental health issues.”
Jim said they live nearby and it’s convenient that they can walk to the association’s office on Water St. to help out.
The Raineys were busy packing “wellness tool kits” on Tuesday. The kits were filled with small items such as bandages and paper clips to help people in times of difficulty.
“When will (the kits) be finished? Well that would be up to the Rainey family,” said Kerri Davies, manager of development with the local CMHA.
Davies said the Rainey family was busy packing 1,500 wellness kits to be given to all clients of the association during their intake starting May 1.
Included in the kit is a small card explaining each of the 10 items it contains with positive messages such as, “bouncy ball ... to remind you to bounce back from life’s ups and downs.”
That’s not all the Raineys do to help the association.
Davies said last year Jim was the top fundraiser for the association’s Ride Don’t Hide event – an annual charity bike run.
Jim said he rode 26 kilometres for the event and was surprised by his cousin, Tim Rainey, a semiprofessional bike rider who rode along with him.
“That was very meaningful to me,” said Jim about his impromptu bike ride with his cousin.
This year’s annual bike riding event will be starting on June 25, Davies said.
Mary-Jane was the first Rainey to start volunteering with the association two years ago. She eventually convinced her husband and son to join her about a year after she started.
“To come here and give back feels right,” she said.
Mary-Jane said she was looking forward to playing golf this year during the association’s 12th annual Healthy Mind, Healthy Life Golf Tournament sponsored by Herod Financial Services.
The tournament will be taking place on June 8 at the Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore.
NOTE: Cost for the tournament is $150 a person or $175 for a passport book which includes a putting contest, mulligan, beverage ticket and door prizes. Both costs include a golf cart at the event, lunch, dinner, team photo and contests with prizes. Participants can register by contacting Kerri Davies at 705-748-6687 ext. 1048 or by email, kdavies@cmhahkpr.ca. Tournament proceeds will support education related to mental health. Sponsorships are also available for businesses to advertise at a hole during the golf tournament for $150 minimum.