The Rotary Club of Red Deer is helping to support mental health with a donation to Family Services of Central Alberta this morning.

From its 2016 Black Tie Bingo, the rotary raised just over $72,000 with $20,000 of that being donated to FSCA's Healthy Kids program.  

“That program is a variety of programs that we do with children in the community. One of them being taming the worry dragons, which is the current one that we’re doing, said Executive Director of FSCA, Judy Scott. “We’re looking now with this funding at other options as well so we can continue to support mental health in young children.”

Co-Chair of Black Tie Bingo, Bre Fitzpatrick, said despite the downturn of the economy last year support from the community was amazing.

“We definitely saw our numbers go down this year and it was significant. However, to come out of a year and still be able to host an event where you can have that many people in a room and that many businesses supporting it, we’re so thankful.”

Fitzpatrick added last year rotary helped support FSCA's FAST program which was aimed at strengthening families whose children have been identified as at risk for future problems including school, social or substance abuse.