The public can now help support the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario (SSO) by making a donation at any of the more than 635 LCBO stores throughout the province.
Donation boxes for the society will be displayed at LCBO checkout counters until Sept. 13.
SSO is a charitable health organization that supports individuals, families, caregivers and communities affected by schizophrenia and psychosis across the province.
For over 30 years SSO has made positive changes in the lives of people affected by schizophrenia through support services, education and advocating for system change and research into the factors that directly impact mental illness.
All funds collected as part of the LCBO campaign will go towards funding vital programs and services such as SSO’s Ask the Expert help line which provides free counselling and system navigation support across the province.
“This campaign draws attention to one of the largest challenges people living with schizophrenia face: discrimination,” said Mary Alberti, CEO of SSO.
“In addition to the debilitating symptoms of the illness, stigma and discrimination affects the way people with schizophrenia live every day and can be a barrier to everything from education and housing to employment and relationships.
“We are thankful to LCBO and its staff for supporting our work this summer – we rely on donations to carry out the majority of our work and it is the generous support from LCBO customers that will make this campaign a success.”
In Ontario, 135,000 individuals live with schizophrenia and over 405,000 individuals will experience at least one psychotic episode in their lifetime.
The impact of schizophrenia is far-reaching, not only affecting the individual, but families, caregivers, workplaces and the community. This translates into thousands of people across the province in need of information, assistance and support.
“LCBO is pleased to partner with SSO and support a variety of worthy causes throughout the year,” says LCBO president and CEO Bob Peter. “The generous support from LCBO customers and staff helps these charitable organizations make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities across Ontario.”
SSO is one of 28 provincial, as well as numerous local charities, that will benefit from LCBO’s province-wide donation box program in 2014.
In 2013, the LCBO raised a total of more than $8.2 million for charities through special programs and initiatives, of which $7.7 million was raised through in-store fundraising.
In addition, LCBO’s annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totalled $1.74 billion in fiscal 2013-14, excluding taxes, supports a wide range of government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.
