Truro woman donates “Vaccinated” button campaign proceeds to CMHA NS

The Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division (CMHA NS) today welcomed a donation of  $10,000 made by Betsy Eisner of Truro, Nova Scotia. Eisner raised the funds through her “Vaccinated” button campaign, which she launched in April, 2021.

Eisner says the initiative was designed to promote the importance of the vaccine roll-out while helping to support mental health programs.

“The majority of Nova Scotians and Canadians have not experienced anything like this [the Covid 19 Pandemic] before in their lives. It really brought out how many people are facing difficulties,” says Eisner.

“More and more, people are recognizing the importance, and the need for mental health support in our communities and in our province.”

“When we said we were donating some of the proceeds to mental health people who seemed unsure about buying a pin were suddenly reaching into their pockets or their cars for change. Mental health affects us all — everyone has a story.”

Over the course of her six-month campaign, Eisner sold 9,530 buttons to Nova Scotians in Halifax, Dartmouth, Colchester County, Cumberland County, Pictou County, Antigonish, and Sydney. For every $2 button sold, she allocated 50 cents to CMHA NS, with the remaining funds going toward the costs associated with distribution and production. She said button sales totaled $7,529.00 and she received $2,471.00 in direct donations to her cause.

Eisner said she was touched by Nova Scotians’ generosity, but not surprised.

“When we said we were donating some of the proceeds to mental health people who seemed unsure about buying a pin were suddenly reaching into their pockets or their cars for change. Mental health affects us all — everyone has a story.”

In presenting her donation to CMHA NS on October 15, Eisner said she was grateful to the Colchester Community Workshop staff, Janice Barnhill, Brenda Payne and Claudette Priddle for their help producing in selling the pins, as well as her family supporting her in her campaign.

Eisner’s donation will support inclusive, safe, and respectful programs that support the resilience and recovery of all Nova Scotians, including suicide prevention programming and initiatives — an area Eisner says is “especially important” to her.

“The more you look around, the more people you meet who have been touched by suicide. I just wanted to do something. I really hope this helps. If we were in a world where I could have set up a spot to sell the buttons out of, I could have raised a $100,000 dollars. That’s how important it [suicide prevention] is.”

“Because of donations like Betsy’s, more Nova Scotians will benefit from programming that positively impacts their daily living; programs that help prevent crisis — that help keep people well,” said Karn Nichols, Executive Director, CMHA NS. “We are so grateful to Betsy, and to Nova Scotians for their support and generosity.”

** You are not alone. If you are in crisis please call the 24 hour Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167 **

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