Olds (Rural Roots Canada) – The Porch Light Mental Wellness Society is hosting a gala to raise awareness and funds for mental health support within Alberta’s rural farming communities.

The Night Out in November: The 1st Annual Porch Light Mental Wellness Society Gala will be an evening of dance, entertainment, a live auction, and education. Proceeds from the night will go to AgKnow, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network.

AgKnow director Linda Hunt said the gala promises to be a great night.

“It’ll be cowboy black tie, so not totally formal,” she chuckled. “There will be dancing, a great live auction, and a keynote address from Brett Gardiner, the award-winning rodeo announcer and mental health advocate.”

RELATED: AgKnow: Addressing the Mental Health Challenges Faced by Alberta Farmers

The money raised at the gala will be used, in part, for an important AgKnow initiative. “We have a farming-formed mental health therapist network that we’ve been working on,” said Hunt. “We have identified mental health counsellors who live in rural areas, or lived experience with farming or extensive experience working or counselling farmers.”

“We like to have free sessions that we can offer to farmers, so some of the funding from this fundraiser will go to opening up a free session program and supporting the free session program.”

She added the gala is not just about raising funds. It’s also about raising mental health awareness and bringing together people passionate about the well-being of Alberta’s farming community.

The gala happens on Saturday, November 2, at Olds College Student Alumni Centre. For more information, to buy tickets, or to donate items for the silent auction, you can visit the AgKnow website.

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