Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia awards JSMT Community Grant to Eating Disorders Nova Scotia

November 28, 2016

DARTMOUTH, NS – The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is pleased to be partnering with friends and community volunteers Chris Sperdakes and Andrew Bartlett to offer a new Named Grant for Nova Scotians looking to improve their knowledge of mental health and addictions.

Both Sperdakes and Bartlett are working to change the way people think about mental illness in memory of Chris’ father, John Sperdakes. With a strong network of family and friends, the two organized the hugely successful JSMT Invitational Golf Tournament, JSMT Shamrock Dance and JSMT Finbar’s Night.  $5,000 of the funds raised are being directed to the new grant aimed at making a difference in their home communities of Lower, Middle and Upper Sackville. 

The JSMT Community Grant is available to individuals and organizations who are working toward changing the way people think.  The funding is open to individuals, agencies and organizations with a mental health mandate and those who work directly with mental health consumers in the Sackville area.

This year, the JSMT Community Grant has been awarded to Eating Disorders Nova Scotia to be used to implement an Eating Disorders Awareness Week in February and will include events held from February 1st – 7th.

The Foundation looks forward to a successful 2016-2017 year. The Foundation’s 2015-2016 Community Report can be downloaded at mentalhealthns.ca.  

About the John Sperdakes Memorial Tournament  

Throughout the year, JSMT hosts a variety of events including a signature golf tournament which continues to sell out every year. Over the past six years, the JSMT Fundraising Society has raised in excess of $50,000 for a variety of local and national charities.  In 2016, they were very pleased to announce they would be working with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

 www.jsmtgolf.com

 About the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

 The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of Nova Scotians living with mental illness and their loved ones.  The Foundation raises funds for vital programs and services that help make this possible, province-wide.

 www.mentalhealthns.ca

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 Media Contact:

 Jennifer Lewandowski, Communications Lead
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
T: 902.464.3210
E: jennifer.lewandowski@nshealth.ca