Tamara’s Trees of Hope fundraiser in Sarnia supports suicide prevention

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A miniature figure skate hangs from each of the trees at this year’s Tamara’s Trees of Hope at Lambton Mall.

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“It’s really important to me,” said Lori Lumley, who founded the charity Talk for Tamara after her 17-year-old daughter, a provincial figure skating champion, died by suicide in 2018.

Tamara’s Tree of Hope campaign started last year and returned to Lambton Mall on Saturday, and volunteers will be there until December 1, selling raffle tickets that shoppers can drop into ballot boxes for a chance to win one of eight decorated trees and gifts.

Tickets are on sale daily, noon to 8 p.m., $10 for 20 people or $5 for two people. The winners will be drawn on December 1 at 8:00 p.m

Money raised supports local agencies focused on suicide prevention and youth mental health, as well as funding mental health and wellness education.

This year there are eight trees worth a total of $13,600, compared to six trees worth a total of $8,400 the first year.

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“We did really well last year,” Lumley said. “We raised $12,000.”

The trees, which this year range in value from $1,000 to $3,000 each, have sponsors, a theme and their own set of gifts.

For example, the tree sponsored by Bluewater Power has a candy theme and gifts for children, while the Carpenters Union Local 1256 “Hat Trick” tree features NHL game tickets, hockey sweaters and a $1,000 prepaid Visa card.

The committee is helping Lumley with fundraising, and Dawn Chafe and Shauna Unsworth have helped design some of the trees.

Lumley said the charity also hosts an annual volleyball tournament fundraiser.

“This year we donated $15,000 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation for their school programs,” she said.

It also provided training to clinicians and supported SafeTalk, among other services and programs.

While local mental health services still have to keep up with needs, “I think organizations are starting to work together more,” Lumley said. “That’s a good thing.”

The word “conversation” is part of the charity’s name because “it is incredibly important to mental health and suicide,” Lumley said.

“We need to continue the conversation,” she said.

Call or text 988 toll-free to reach the suicide crisis hotline across Canada.

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