A Flin Flon man is beginning a now annual drive to provide help for people suffering with schizophrenia.
For the sixth consecutive summer, Ray Berg will be raising funds for the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society (MSS) Journey of Hope. As part of the program, Berg will be out in the community accepting donations for the group and the services they have for people suffering from schizophrenia.
There’s going to be one big change for Berg’s fundraising efforts this year. Instead of canvassing houses door to door, Berg will instead fundraise by setting up a table with information and a donation box at locations in town, most notably at the North of 53 Consumers’ Co-op.
Instead of going to donors, Berg is hoping donors can now come to him.
“I’m not going to be going door to door. If I am, I’ll just do in the neighbourhood where I am,” said Berg. “I found that was one of the best spots to bring in pledges,” he added, referring to the Co-op.
This year, Berg has printed up his own business cards with contact information and details on how to donate directly to the MSS via their website. It is an expansion from an idea Berg had last year - distributing index cards with the relevant information on them to people interested in helping out.
Berg estimated having the cards added about $700 in additional funds to the donation drive.
“My goal is higher [this year] because I have the business cards,” he said. “It’s pretty important because last year, total, the MSS brought in around $16,000 in donations through the Journey of Hope.”
By the time all was said and done with the donations, Berg had raised nearly half that by himself - $6,500 in total. Berg became involved with the MSS through a friend who suffered from the disorder.
“It’s important for people who use the services, to find out where you should go for support, to let people know when you’re hearing voices, getting help that way,” Berg said.
Berg said he’s learned through the donation drive that receiving help from close friends and family has made big differences in his own life.
“It’s important to get to family or friends who can help you out,” he said.
The Journey of Hope concludes with a charity walk in Winnipeg Sept. 21. Berg said he won’t be attending it this year, but hopes the money he will raise will help the MSS.
