Journal staff
More than $10,000 was raised to support youth mental health in Sarnia-Lambton following a successful ‘Simply Summer Dinner in Whites’ event held along Sarnia’s waterfront earlier this month.
The event brought some 300 people together to enjoy a meal, dressed in white, while raising money for YWHO (Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario) Sarnia-Lambton — a mental health and addictions facility for youth ages 12-25, and their families — which officially opened this week.
This was the 6th Simply White Dinner for organizer Kelly-Lynn Musico, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first time it was held as a fundraiser.
“It’s based on the "Diner en Blanc” event in which people have a meal dressed in white in a temporary dining setup in a public space,” said Musico. “Just a gathering for people to have fun.”
Guests brought their own meals to enjoy during the event, which featured impactful guest speakers Kathy Alexander (Bluewater Health Foundation) and Janessa, a youth from the Spoken Hope Youth Advisory Council for YHWO Sarnia-Lambton.
Musico said she decided to add a fundraising element this year, specifically for youth mental health.
“We wanted to keep the price accessible, so we got sponsorships, and asked donors to contribute to the YWHO,” she said. “Having resources for youth and their families is so important to me.”