MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- January 27^th 2020

St. Catharines, ON– Pathstone Foundation and Meridian Credit Union are partnering for a second year on the “Fill the Pig, Feel Better” Community Campaign in support of children’s mental health across Niagara.

Year two will kick-off with a few NEW initiatives.

You will be able to “adopt” a pig at ANY of the 17 Meridian Credit Union branches across Niagara to pick up starting TODAY, January 27^th. This year’s campaign runs until the end of February.

Those who “adopt” a pig are encouraged to fill it with donations in support of Pathstone Foundation.

Each filled pig, represents approximately two one-on-one sessions with a Pathstone clinician at any of Pathstone’s eight Hear & Now Walk-In Clinics located across the region.

When your pig is full, simply return it to any Meridian Credit Union branch. * You don’t need to bank at Meridian to participate.

This year, we are introducing NEW ways to get involved.

Members of our Niagara community are becoming “Guest Artists” and painting up their pig to put at the cash register/counter at their place of business, including EVERY STORE at the Pen Centre.

Join us, on Tuesday, February 4th from 4-8pm for our “Paint the Pig Night at the Pen Centre” – sign up on Eventbrite to reserve your spot. When you arrive (at the former Sear’s Entrance) your $25 on-site donation includes your very own piggy bank and seat at our art table where you can personalize it.

If you simply want to support the “Fill the Pig, Feel Better” campaign online, you can visit the following link www.pathstonementalhealth.ca/fillthepig and donate to our virtual pig. *an automatic e-receipt will be issued.

In year two, this campaign continues to be about supporting access to mental health support through Walk-In Clinics for kids and their families. This campaign is also a demonstration of how good it feels to give back, no matter your age. This year, we had businesses reach out to us to support this campaign. There will be over 200 of them with piggy banks at their counters throughout the month. – Kim Rossi- Director of Philanthropy & PR –Pathstone Foundation

Meridian is proud to partner with Pathstone Foundation for a second consecutive year, because we share a common goal of helping to grow lives and make them better. Finances are one the biggest stressors for parents as they carry out the demands of work and family while dealing with the challenges of mental health issues. Thanks to Pathstone, families have access to programs and support they otherwise would not have without significant financial costs. Together, we can make sure that Pathstone continues its vital work in supporting children’s mental health. We all benefit from the lasting positive impact Pathstone has on these young lives and their families. – Shelley Dix- District Vice President- Meridian

Campaign Details:

• Donate anytime:  https://www.pathstonefoundation.ca/fillthepig/ *donors will be e-receipted automatically
• Official Kick-off – TODAY, Jan 27^th Visit ANY of Niagara’s 17 Meridian Credit Union locations.
• “Paint the Pig at the Pen Night” – February 4^th – from 4 – 8pm  sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-the-pig-at-the-pen-night-registration-86551559043
• Wrap-up & Campaign Total Announcement– March 8^th– Meridian Centre – Ice Dogs Game.

Adoption Locations- ALL 17 Meridian Credit Union branches across Niagara – https://www.meridiancu.ca/contact-us/Find-a-Branch-or-ABM.aspx

SHARE, LIKE, REPOST, RETWEET on SOCIAL

Instagram & Twitter: @Fill_the_Pig
Tag: @PathstoneMH / @MeridianCU / @ThePenCentre
Hashtag: #fillthepig #Niagara #ChangeMatters #PigSpotting #KidsCount

About Pathstone Mental Health
Pathstone Mental Health is a community-based organization whose mission it is to provide innovative and effective treatment for all children in Niagara diagnosed with mental health issues. Thanks to support from our donors and volunteers, we are able to address and meet the needs of children and their families as the only accredited provider of mental health services for children in Niagara. Crisis Services are offered 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944.

About Meridian
With over 75 years of banking history, Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, helping to grow the lives of its more than 300,000 Members.   Meridian has $20.6 billion in assets under management as of November 30, 2018 and delivers a full range of financial services online, by phone, by mobile and through a network of 90 branches across Ontario, and commercial banking services in 11 locations. Meridian Members also have access to THE EXCHANGE® Network, with more than 3,500 no-fee ABMs across Canada and 500,000 ABMs in the United States. For more information, please visit: meridiancu.ca.

Media Contact – Questions / Interviews:
Kim Rossi – Director of Philanthropy & Public Relations -Pathstone Mental Health/ Pathstone Foundation
289.969.8342  e. krossi@pathstone.ca