鈥淭ell the truth about why I died.鈥�

Those were the words that Georgia McAlpine wrote in a note to her parents before she took her own life in 2016. Cam, Georgia鈥檚 father, said she wanted nothing but to help others throughout her life and even in her last moments, she wanted to keep helping others.

So despite how difficult it is to talk about and relive, the McAlpine family has been advocating for youth mental health wellness, raising funds for community programs, even working with CMHA 琉璃神社 on its board so they can help make a difference.

With the help of CMHA 琉璃神社, the McAlpine family was able to set up a permanent fund called Georgia鈥檚 Wish, to which people can donate. Money that Georgia鈥檚 Wish raises funds community programs, including Foundry 琉璃神社鈥檚 Mobile Wellness Unit, which offers youth support in Lake Country, 琉璃神社, and West 琉璃神社.

鈥淲e as a family have just taken (Georgia鈥檚) wish to heart,鈥� Cam said.

鈥淎nd from that day on, I鈥檝e been talking openly about this. It鈥檚 never easy but it鈥檚 important.鈥�

The McAlpine family鈥檚 message and efforts have created a ripple effect in the community, with friends and family donating to Georgia鈥檚 Wish. Now, more friends are beginning to organize fundraising events and spread awareness about mental health wellness.

One of these friends is Sheila Venables, who co-owns Pace Spin Studio with her family. The studio, which opened in 2019, typically hosts a fall fitness challenge, where participants ride for a charity or community organization. The event was cancelled last year, but Venables said they wanted to get back on track this year.

鈥淭he Foundry and CMHA 琉璃神社 were next on our list (of organizations to raise funds for), especially with COVID and the effect it has had on mental health,鈥� she said.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot going on, so we decided this was going to be a top priority for us.鈥�

Dogzies Pet Services owner Wayne Dorman, who goes to the studio, suggested that they do a 鈥済low ride鈥� challenge this year and raise funds for Georgia鈥檚 Wish, to which Venables agreed. Dorman brought in glow sticks and other glow accessories to prepare for the ride, she said.

鈥淲hat we鈥檝e decided for the challenge is to have a calendar of goals for each rider who wants to participate in the challenge,鈥� she said.

鈥淭he glow rides will be part of that, with all the proceeds going to Georgia鈥檚 Wish.鈥�

Venables said they鈥檙e still sorting out the details for the fall challenge, but it鈥檚 scheduled to start on Nov. 8 and go until Dec. 8.

More information on the challenge and how you can participate will be available on and.

If you want to learn more about Georgia鈥檚 Wish, you can do so .

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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