Teens @ Risk & Adult Mental Health

My name is Naomi Berthiaume and I am organizing a charity for @Risk-Teens and Adult Mental Health. I am looking to raise $25,000.00 to help pay for bicycles, helmets, locks, water bottles, laptops, modems and one year of internet which would be given out just before Easter. The total amount raised would be split equally between Adults who suffer Mental Health and Teens who are currently involved with Carlton County Child Protective Services. Each qualifying person would receive both a bicycle package and laptop package depending on their needs.

The reason I am raising money for this project is because I believe that during Christmas teenager’s don’t receive much through local charities and even though these charities are awesome, they are more for children under the age of 13. We also do not have a lot of charities for low income adults who suffer from mental illness. Bicycles are great for alternative transportation, getting exercise and are just fun for getting out of them house on sunny days. Adults with Mental Health issues may have difficulties walking because they may not get out enough. Riding bicycles has been proven to be easier on the joints and knees, allowing people with mobility issues to get around easier. Bicycles can be an awesome way for teens to socialize with friends and get exercise. Teens who are involved in the system deal with a lot of family issues and should not be forgotten. Having a bicycle gives them an outlet to forget the problems they are dealing with, helps with adrenaline release which can also help relieve stress and anger caused by their current situation.

Laptops are also beneficial for both groups. Teens can utilize more programs for school and with internet access they can communicate with educators easier then with a tablet that local schools charge rental fees for and are useless without WI-FI access. Laptops are also useful for people with mental health. They socialize through social media when they suffer from social anxiety. They have easier access to medical care through patient portals and direct email, especially if they cannot afford a phone. Laptops also help people who suffer from mental health apply for jobs since most establishment's now require individuals to apply online.

I am writing to ask you to support my cause and my fundraiser. Would you please be willing to contribute money to help me reach my goal?

Your donation will go directly towards the purchase of bicycles, helmets, water bottles, bicycle locks, laptops and internet services. All bicycle and bicycle accessory purchases will be made through our local Walmart. Who ever qualifies would get the opportunity to choose their own bicycle. Adult bicycles range between $100-150 in price. Helmets range between $10-20 in price and bicycle locks are between $10-15. Water bottles that don’t come with the purchase of the bicycle can be purchased at our local Dollar Tree for a buck.

A company called PC’s for People out of St. Paul offers refurbished laptops, maintenance and internet at discounted prices for low income individuals. The highest priced laptop runs in the range of $250-350. This includes a Dell Laptop or something equivalent, Microsoft Office 10, 8GB Ram, SSD Hard Drive and a laptop bag. Their Internet modems cost $79.95 and internet for one year costs $120. Average cost for the whole package is around $550 depending on what they have available for purchase since everything is donated to PC’s for People, which is why they can offer nicer laptops for cheaper prices.

I would love to see at least 20 @Risk-Teens receive a bicycle package and laptop package this year for Easter. I would also like to see 20 Adults who suffer from mental health receive the same for Easter. The bicycle packages will come to a total of $7240. The total for the laptop package will come to a total of $22,000. Obviously these totals would be if individuals chose the most expensive packages, which I don’t believe would happen. So I am only trying to raise $25,000. Any money donated that is not used would be divided between Carlton County Child Protective Services and Carlton County Adult Mental Health Services to use towards clients needs.