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Show and Shine for men's mental health in Maple Ridge

The second annual event is being put on by ST.O.R.M

Classic cars, vintage motorbikes, and antique trucks will be on full display to support men's mental health. 

The second annual Stop Overdose Ridge Meadows (ST.O.R.M) Show and Shine is coming up with donations going to the Family Education and Support Centre to help with programs like the Caring Dads Program and the Men's Anger Management Program. 

"The Show and Shine event was developed out of a response to reviewing both local and provincial data that shows the overwhelming majority of unregulated drug deaths are men," explained Jerrica Hackett, with ST.O.R.M. It was also developed as a way to connect with men in the community, she said. 

Hackett explained that in B.C. this year, 71 per cent of unregulated drug deaths were men. Additionally, she said, 83 per cent of unregulated drug deaths across the province occurred inside – 48 per cent in private residences and 35 per cent in other inside locations.

"While we are aware each death holds a different story, we feel strongly that this data reflects a possibility that we are amidst a men’s mental health crisis in addition to the unregulated drug crisis," she said. 

In addition, continued Hackett, throughout the last 40 years, men have accounted for most suicide deaths. Men were almost three times more likely to die by suicide than women in 2022, according to StatsCan, Canada's national statistical agency.

Last year around 40 vehicles were on display including: new cars, classics, trucks, motorcycles, imports, and even a semi-truck – and the group donated around $500 to the centre. 

"We hope to double that this year," said Hackett, noting that last year, the weather was spotty and it was their first time organizing a Show and Shine. "But this year we feel confident that we’ll grow and improve."

This year, the Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries will be providing free food to guests of the event from their Emergency Response Unit, which is built to travel to disaster zones, such as floods and fires, where they feed emergency responders.  

Vendors, music, and treats will also be available. 

There will also be a Resource Fair where community organizations will provide information about the resources and services they offer.

Winners will be chosen in each vehicle category who will receive a trophy. There will also be a 50/50 draw, in addition to a number of door prizes for vehicle entrants and public attendees. 

Anyone wishing to participate can register their vehicles at: stopoverdoseridgemeadows.ca. Donations will be collected the day of, and vehicles and vendors should be set up between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Ridge Church, 22155 Lougheed Hwy. 

For more information about Stop Overdose Ridge Meadows go to: https://www.stopoverdoseridgemeadows.ca/



Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
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