CALGARY, Canada, Oct. 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Supporters from a variety of industries joined together this week to raise funds for two important charities that serve Calgarians with mental illness and help them find stable housing.
The 9th Annual Fish & Chips Golf Tournament & Fly-Fishing Derby, presented by Hamilton + Partners, in support of Horizon Housing Society and Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region, took place on the Bow River and at the Cottonwood Golf & Country Club Thursday, September 12th. This year's event raised over $150,000 for the charities, bringing the total amount raised over nine years to more than $1 million.
Proceeds directly benefit community based mental health programming and affordable housing initiatives for individuals and families whose lives are seriously impacted by mental illness or homelessness.
"Considering the challenging season Calgary faced with the spring flooding, we can't be more grateful to all of those who came out to support our organizations for this event which supports our work helping people with mental health issues each and every day," said Laureen MacNeil, Executive Director, CMHA – Calgary Region.
Anglers launched early in the morning to float down the Bow River for the day, while golfers played a round of golf on the links at Cottonwood. Anglers and golfers joined later at the Cottonwood clubhouse to share tall tales and enjoy a special guest speaker who is both a client of CMHA – Calgary Region and a tenant of Horizon Housing Society.
"Without the support and generosity of our sponsors and volunteers, Fish & Chips would be impossible. The event provides a platform to raise awareness and share knowledge about affordable housing so that we can continue to work towards ending homelessness in Calgary," says Kim O'Brien, Executive Director, Horizon Housing Society. "As a proud member of RESOLVE, a groundbreaking collaborative capital campaign supporting Calgary's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, proceeds from Fish & Chips will go towards our collective goal of raising $120 million to provide nearly 2,000 units for over 3,000 people."
About CMHA - Calgary Region
Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region provides caring, community-based mental health support programs for over 25,000 individuals each year. We work closely with other community organizations to bridge gaps in the mental health care system and facilitate access to important services and resources. To learn more or to donate visit www.cmha.calgary.ab.ca
About Horizon Housing Society
Horizon Housing Society is a not for profit organization providing affordable, integrated and supported homes to over 700 individuals in the city of Calgary. The Society serves tenants with a variety of special needs including mental illness, physical disability, families and seniors living below the poverty line and the working poor. Horizon Housing Society is one of nine proud Partners in the RESOLVE Campaign, which is a first-of-its-kind, community-driven fundraising Campaign aimed at creating a diverse mix of affordable rent-based housing units in Calgary. For more information, visit www.horizonhousing.ab.ca
Photo captions:
1. Darol Hamilton Trophy winners Jim Parker and Fred Sloan with John Guderyan of Hamilton + Partners.
2. CMHA – Calgary Region Executive Director Laureen MacNeil (left) and Horizon Housing Society Executive Director Kim O'Brien (right) accept a cheque for $10,000 from RBC's Bob Hamilton, this year's Fish and Chips Golf Tournament and Fly-Fishing Derby Honourary Co-Chair.
Photos accompanying this release are available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=21295
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=21296
