Inclement weather failed to dampen spirits as over 100 individuals congregated at city hall for the annual Cambridge Moves for Mental Health fundraising event on Saturday.
Despite the rainy conditions persisting for the second consecutive year, attendees fervently supported Porchlight Addiction and Mental Health Services, contributing to a remarkable online donation total of $13,000 alone.
“We still have to tally what else comes in for the day,” remarked Cameron Dearlove, Executive Director for Porchlight, expressing delight at the community’s generosity. “We’re really pleased.”
Participants enthusiastically embarked on either a 2.5 or five-kilometer accessible route, braving the elements before reconvening at city hall for a well-deserved lunch.
Dearlove lauded the event’s significance in fostering community solidarity and destigmatizing mental health challenges. “All these people are walking through downtown Cambridge with their Cambridge Moves for Mental Health t-shirts, just showing that these kinds of things are important to us,” he remarked. “It’s all part of reducing stigma and opening doors for people to get the mental health help they need.”
The proceeds from the event will contribute to Porchlight’s imminent relocation to a larger facility, as well as the continued provision of vital support services for individuals grappling with mental health and addiction issues.
Reflecting on the resilience demonstrated by participants braving adverse weather conditions, Dearlove expressed optimism for future iterations of the event. “We’ve had rain two years in a row, so third time [next year] is the charm,” he quipped. “The weather shows a little bit of the resilience that people have. The fact that everybody comes out on a Saturday to tell the community that mental health is important speaks volumes.”
