May 19th, 2008

review

May 19th, 2008

 

Changing minds

 

By Ryan Crocker
Friday May 16, 2008

A full year has passed since the first-ever Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk and, as the event got underway for the second time last weekend, it was obvious it was going to be even bigger.
The walk and the Andrew Dunn Foundation responsible for it are both named in memory of an an intelligent, handsome, and popular young man who battled depression for years. On Dec. 12, 2006, Andrew made a final choice the loved ones he left behind know in their hearts he’d never have made if not for mental illness – he took his own life.
“I really thought our event this year went pretty well, except for the cold wind – which was not my fault because that was not the weather order that I placed!” Judy Dunn, Andrew’s mother, said, noting this year’s event attracted almost twice as many people as last year’s. “We are really happy to see our event growing.”
Dunn said that as she went around Birds Hill Park putting up signs marking the route at 8 a.m., there were already a number of volunteers out and about helping – including the Kinsmen. Watching these volunteers help out was heartwarming for Dunn even though the event, no matter how successful, will always be equally heartbreaking.
“I had to leave again to check my signs but really I had to leave because I couldn’t talk to anyone… because of tears that were welling up in my eyes and a lump that completely filled my throat,” Dunn explained, noting the May 10 event would’ve been Andrew’s twenty-fifth birthday – and still was, in a bittersweet sense. “I am totally committed to our cause but, unfortunately, at the end of a very difficult day, no matter how successful it is, Andrew is still not coming back and that’s a hard fact to come to terms with.”
She still found the strength to participate fully in the event and shared a smile and even a laugh numerous times with family, friends, and participants. One of the highlights of the event for all involved was a warm-up session led by Ace Burpee, a Cook’s Creek native who hosts a popular radio show on Winnipeg’s Hot 103 – and Dunn smiled and laughed with her son Robert as they copied Burpee’s unusual exercises.
“He is the reason I still wake up every morning,” Dunn said. Her dear friend Brenda Balinski, also a cornerstone of the Andrew Dunn Foundation, has a son as well, Jordan, and Burpee gave him a pat on the back for designing a t-shirt for the event. Some of the t-shirts, where appropriate, featured the slogan, “Andrew’s got my back” on the back.

“He is taking graphic arts in college, but already has a natural, God-given talent that a school course alone could not have created,” Dunn said. “Jord was the one who built the Lego Castle around Andrew’s ashes from Andrew’s own Legos. Andrew was Transformer crazy as a little guy so we know he definitely approves of the design. We are selling the rest.”
In addition to the warm-up session with Burpee (who has expressed his willingness to help out annually), participants seemed to enjoy just about everything.
“The feedback so far has all been very positive, which is encouraging. Apparently there were some coffee drinkers in the crowd because Tim Horton’s ran out! We have heard rave reviews of the burgers that were donated by the Co-op in Oakbank and expertly barbecued by the Kinsmen,” Dunn said.
In the end, Dunn is certain last year’s total of $13,500 will be exceeded this year.
“That is wonderful news,” she said, noting last year’s money was donated to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation for an annual educational event, the Andrew Dunn Symposium; and some was used for scholarships and plaques, which were given to deserving students making a difference in their community.
“We partnered this year’s event with the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM),” Dunn added, “I started working for MDAM last fall and have been very impressed with the work that they do on a very limited budget – as do most mental health initiatives, still a silent illness and killer due to stigma. I felt very comfortable that they could help us continue to make a difference on the road to successful recovery from depression and a suicide awareness and education campaign.”
This year Dunn also provided certificates to participants and the Running Room provided medals to those who participated in the running portion of the event.
“We also went with a blue ribbon campaign, which was started in the States, where we handed out one Blue Ribbon to each person that read, ‘Who I Am Makes A Difference’, to let them know they were making a difference. And, then, we handed them another one and requested they hand that one out to a person in their life that makes a difference to them.”
Dunn said all the support she has received over the past several years, both personally and as a representative of the Andrew Dunn Foundation, has left her with more people to give blue ribbons to than she possibly could.
“I have so many people that I would like to hand those thoughts out to but I really must hand one of those out to two very important people who have definitely made a huge difference in my life – when I have not always been much fun to be around,” Dunn said. “Firstly, Brenda Balinski for being there when most would have run for the hills to avoid the pain and sadness that has been hovering over me for the last 17 months, and for her genuine compassion for the cause that we work on together – and she really does do most of the work!”
Dunn noted one out of three people will experience a mental health issue over the course of their lives and there is one suicide every other day in this province.
“Brenda and I both see how really serious this issue is to everyone, whether they know it or not,” Dunn said, adding her son Robert is the other person she had to mention specifically.
For more information about the Andrew Dunn Foundation, visit its website at www.andrewdunn.org
 

 

2nd Annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run/Ride

May 11th, 2008

Thanks to everyone who came out to support our cause. A write up and pictures will be posted soon, but for now here are the ticket numbers for the four unclaimed prizes from May 10th’s walk/run/ride. The ticket numbers are:

602717- claimed

602485

602487

380905 - claimed

Call 444-5771 to make arrangements to bring your ticket and pick up your prizes. Good Luck!

2nd Annual Walk/Run/Ride

April 14th, 2008

The 2nd Annual

ANDREW DUNN MEMORIAL

WALK/RUN/RIDE

 

Please come out to support us, by walking, running, biking, rollerblading, or horseback

on a 1-5 km course or a 5 & 10 k fun run

 

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

Birds Hill Park @ the Ranch

registration @ 9:00 a.m. (rain or shine)

walk/run/ride @ 10:00 a.m.

 

Print out a sponsor sheet below or call Judy @ 444-5228

or Brenda @ 444-5771

 

Thank you for your continued support - each step getting us closer to better managing this disease - “Depression”

 

-partnership with the Mood Disorders Assoc. of MB

 

-5 & 10 k run sponsored by the Running Room

EMCEE - Ace Burpee         SILENT AUCTION

BBQ                                               PRIZES

 

Ways we have all helped to make a difference:

March 10th, 2008

 

  • $500.00 donated to Changes Club House, Beausejour, went towards individuals suffering with mental health issues where they can drop in and feel comfortable in a non-threatening and non-judgmental environment to support one another.
  • Guidance office at Royal School, Winnipeg (Andrew’s Elementary School) - $100.00 to be used to purchase mental health related resources.
  • SCI $500.00 award given to a graduate student (2007) who went that extra mile to help someone in need and has shown care and compassion to others.
  • HSC Foundation – $13,465.00 will go towards supporting the organization of a Symposium that focuses on topics specific to mood disorders, or suicide. The Symposium will be held yearly in Andrew’s name.  The Andrew Dunn Symposia will feature guest speakers to present to consumers, families, students and professionals working with individuals experiencing mental health issues.  An annual Symposium creates increased education opportunities for persons who are living with mental health issues, individuals who work with them or those who love and support them.  This will also be done in an effort to increase awareness and reduce stigma.

Please help us to help others.

Join us for the 2nd Annual “Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk”

To be held Saturday, May 10, 2008

At “The Ranch” in Beautiful Birds Hill Park

SEE YOU THERE!

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY SOCIAL

February 19th, 2008

The St. Patrick’s Day Social is official now. It will be held at Dugald Community Centre again this year. The event will be held on Saturday, March 15th, 2008, between 8:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Tickets are $10.00 and all proceeds once again will be going towards mental health in memory of Andrew Dunn.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please call Brenda at 444-5771 or Judy at 444-3536.

A great big Thank you to Jeff Hudson at Poplar Press for again donating the tickets.

2008 Sponsor Sheet

A poem written by Andrew’s mom on December 8th

December 9th, 2007

Dear Andrew,

As your 1st year “Angel Date” draws ever so near

11 months 29 days worth of mornings I wake up still not believing you’re not here

That December night, I live over and over, not remembering the snow or even the cold

For the tears were the snowflakes and the cold that I felt was deep within

You were only 23 years old

When I feel my heart breaking in two

One side for your brother and one side for you

That’s when your spirit and energy show me, you’re everlasting and near

I love you forever Andrew, I will love you always my dear

So that’s why I promise as long as on this earth I belong

That I will do everything within my power to help you live on

Just as the stars are not visible in the light of the day

We still know they exist and we’ll see them again in some way

I miss you everyday

Andrew

Love always and forever,

Mom

2nd Annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run

December 9th, 2007

Just want to let everyone know that, by request we are having the 2nd Annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 (Andrew’s 25th Birthday).

If you are interested in volunteering or attending you can email Brenda at balinski@mts.net  or call (204) 444-5771 or phone Judy at 444-3536, as we are hoping to set up a committee after the holidays.

World Wide Candle Lighting

December 9th, 2007

 

For those of you who are interested in lighting a candle in honour of all children who have died, please read the following that was in Compassionate Friends’ Newsletter.

On December 9/2007 World Wide Candle Lighting – 7:00 p.m. in all time zones.

Everyone in every time zone around the world is invited to light a candle in honour of all children who have died, that their light may always shine.

As candles go out in one time zone, they will be lit in the next, creating a wave of light that will encircle the globe.

Visit the TCF/USA website, www.compassionatefriends.org on that day and share your thoughts on their memorial page, as you light your candles and observe this quiet time.

Andrew Dunn Foundation Gives Back

December 5th, 2007

Community support enables battle against mental illness to continue

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Bird’s Hill Park Ranch now has a tree and granite memorial stone honouring the young man who, through his battle with depression, inspired the Andrew Dunn Foundation.

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Judy Dunn and Brenda Balinski handed over a cheque to the HSC Foundation, money raised through the first-ever Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run (above, right). Pictured are, from left: Judy Dunn, Brenda Balinski, Robert Dunn, and F. Lynn Bishop.

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Brenda Balinski of the Andrew Dunn Foundation snapped these two photos of students receiving the foundations awards. Anjelique DaCosta (far left) was honoured at Springfield Collegiate Institute’s graduation ceremoney while Dani Petras took home the honours at Royal Elementary School in Charleswood.

They used to say behind every great man there’s a great woman and, although the expression has generally fallen from grace these days, there are still certain circumstances where no expression could possibly be more appropriate.
Ask anyone who knew and loved him and they’ll proudly tell you the late Andrew Dunn was a great man and his mother, Judy Dunn, holds an equally special place in many hearts. She stood behind her son establishing the Andrew Dunn Foundation and organizing the Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk. Working together with dear friend Brenda Balinski, the two were finally able to witness the first fruits of their labours over the past month.

“On June 20, we were delighted to hand the HSC Foundation a cheque for $13,465,” Dunn explained, noting the money was raised through the first annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run earlier this year. “It was an emotional day, both elated at the success of our first effort and yet devastating at the knowledge of how it all came about. However, with my son Robert and my dear friend Brenda at my side, I made it through one more day and continue keeping my promise to Andrew.”

Dunn went on to detail some of the other work the Andrew Dunn Foundation has been doing, including awarding special honours to two exceptional students who are making a difference in their communities. One student was a Grade 6 graduate of Royal Elementary School in Charleswood, a school the Dunn family is very familiar with.

“We were able to award a sweet little girl, Dani Petras, a teddy bear with a gift certificate and a plaque for her caring and compassion towards her fellow classmates and others at the school - the same school that I attended, as well as Andrew and Robert,” Dunn explained. “Louise Burton, the boys’ Grade 1 teacher, was also in attendance to help present the award. An additional $100 cheque was also handed over to the guidance office and we are hoping to work with them to start an education and awareness program for students, as well as their parents and the teachers, on the devastating affects of depression and learning to spot the signs to successfully treat this disease.”

Balinski noted Petras accomplished a lot during her time at the school.

“Dani never gives up and works very hard. She is fully engaged in school activities, including all the sports and music activities.” Balinski explained. “She was a patrol and a member of the student leadership. She took the baby-sitting course and volunteered during school events to baby-sit small children.”

Less that 24 hours later, it was Anjelique DaCosta’s turn to receive the Andrew Dunn Foundation’s accolades.
“We attended Springfield Collegiate Institute’s graduation ceremony at the Winnipeg Convention Centre and, with Robert at my side and Brenda on camera duty, we were delighted to hand over a cheque for $500 and a plaque to Anjelique DaCosta,” Dunn explained. “The recipient of the award also met the criteria of being caring and compassionate to their fellow students and was chosen by the teachers.”

Balinski was equally impressed with DaCosta.

“Judy and I were both emotional when we heard as Anjelique has been dealing with depression and was brave and honest enough to talk to Manitoba Moments,” Balinski said. “Staff did not even know this. She is an amazing lady. She also helped us at the social by working the door all night with her family - actually, her entire family is amazing!”
Dunn said the emotional experience was only a tiny step but is overjoyed knowing all these tiny steps are moving her in the right direction. She went on to say the Andrew Dunn Foundation has agreed to participate in a radio-thon with the HSC Foundation in November and, also in the last few weeks, honoured Andrew with a special addition to Bird’s Hill Park.

“We just planted Andrew’s tree at the Bird’s Hill Park Ranch, along with a beautiful granite memorial marker donated by Cropo Funeral Chapel,” Dunn said. “The ranch is the location we have decided to go with for our annual walk so as to properly accommodate walkers, joggers, and bicycles, roller blades, even dog walkers, as well as horseback and buggies. With these wonderful facilities in our area, it would be a shame not to take full advantage of them every year.”
The work is satisfying for Dunn and everyone else involved with the Andrew Dunn Foundation but little means more than community support.

“After the SCI ceremony on June 27, I came home with so many feelings, emotions, and thoughts running through me only to have one more moment of tears,” Dunn began. “A lovely young woman came to my door and handed us a generous donation from the Hazelridge Women’s Ball Hockey Team and, yes, we will continue to take any and all donations, great or small, on behalf of the Andrew Dunn Memorial Fund because the battle has only just begun.”

Photos and story by Ryan Crocker, copyright SUN MEDIA