Phi Gamma Delta at Western University was forced to find a new venue for their 8th annual Austen Berlet Campout for Mental Health.
This year the local fraternity hit a speed bump when they found out they could no longer hold the event at their usual location, Victoria Park. Due to regulations that would prevent them from physically setting up tents in Victoria Park, the fraternity was forced to move the event to an indoor location, Western University’s UCC building.
This minor hiccup did not discourage the group as they announced their fundraising goal this year to be $20,000. Since starting the event in 2010, the Austen Berlet Campout has raised approximately $100,000 for mental health research and causes within London. Namely, the fraternity has been able to use the money in cooperation with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to fund more on-campus crisis counseling during stressful times in the academic year.
Click here to donate and the help Phi Gamma Delta and the CMHA reach their goal.
The Austen Berlet Campout is a 24-hour camp-out to raise money for the CMHA in honour of the fraternity’s deceased brother, Austen Berlet, who took his own life in July of 2009 after suffering from bipolar disorder.
This year the charity fundraiser held multiple events to keep volunteers and patrons entertained, including a silent auction, basketball tournament, yoga, open mic/coffee house, board games, movies and more. Throughout the night, there were many talks about mental health and personal well-being.
Check out the video below to hear what the event means to the fraternity’s president, Jake Jardine.
Tomorrow, Sunday, March 25th, the event will have it’s closing ceremonies at 11:00 am. The Campout will conclude with some words from the guest speakers, those of which including representatives from the CMHA and Austen Berlet’s family.
