Last month, Kinark and the Foundation organized the Second Annual Kinark Golf Classic at Pheasant Run Golf Club. From the feedback we received, it was a great success - glorious weather, good golf (for some!), great food, and a relaxed atmosphere that allowed everyone to have some fun while supporting a very serious cause. Having watched the golf committee at work under the direction of tournament chair, Karim Ramji, and noted the organizing skill of Shanan Spencer-Brown I realize that it takes a lot of effort to make it all happen in an atmosphere of calm relaxation.

Thanks are certainly due as well to all our sponsors and donors led by Manulife Financial (see more of our sponsors by visiting www.kinarkgolf.golfregistrations.com) to the many volunteers who worked hard and cheerfully, to Pheasant Run for a beautiful course and for all their help in organizing and delivery a special day, and lastly, to the golfers who supported both the event and the cause with generousity and enthusiasm.

Following the golf came dinner and a silent auction and prize draw. Karim and I were both lucky to find our names drawn for two of the best prizes and deeply regretted having to draw again for more legitimate winners!

Once again, Pheasant Run had chosen Kinark as the target for its fund raising efforts and Andrew Hardy presented a cheque for over $15,000 on their behalf. This is an astonishing contribution and highlights the special atmosphere created by the Pheasant Run family. Many, many thanks to Craig Evans, President, and Mark Sharpe, Director of Golf, and their team.

After dinner, we showed a short video produced by some of the young people at Syl Apps Youth Centre. The video, which won a competition entitled “Change the View” staged by Children's Mental Health Ontario, contained a powerful message against the stigma surrounding mental illness in children and youth. Ironically, all the participants were masked to protect their identities. For most of the young winners, the award was their first experience of receiving positive recognition for something they helped to create. It was a powerful signal to them.

The highlight of the dinner was the speech from 21 year old Jessica, a former Kinark client. This remarkable young woman told of her years of depression, thoughts of suicide, and substance abuse and of the way in which the Kinark case worker had worked patiently and compassionately with her to help her to break from that mental prison and begin to reshape her life. It was a powerful and moving story that ended on a triumphal note: Jessica recently completed her high school diploma and is now entering University of Toronto on scholarship. She is determined to use her experience to bring hope to other young people who are fighting the same battles.

We are pleased to report that the Classic generated over $68,000 for Kinark's programs, an increase of more than 30% over last year. Planning for the 2011 Kinark Golf Classic is underway and details will be announced shortly. This tournament proves that a great day on the golf course is more than just fun and games. With the support provided, children and youth with mental health problems will have a brighter future, just like Jessica.