MAKING MEDITATION MAINSTREAM WINS AUSTRALIA DAY - 'COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR 2021'

Community Announcement
04 February 2021
https://www.makingmeditationmainstream.com.au/

Community Event of the Year
’28 for Twenty Eight’ presented by ‘Making Meditation Mainstream’
Nominated by Deanne Bennett from Lifeline
While 2020 has been a tough year for most events, Jason Partington who founded ‘Making Meditation Mainstream’ saw an opportunity to reach out to our community and provide support through his event ‘28 for Twenty Eight’ during a time of crisis.
This community event was a month long mental health initiative in October 2020, to encourage Australians to take control of their own mental health and increase their mental resilience through ten minutes of meditatation each day, for 28 consecutive days, while raising funds for Lifeline, supporting those seeking crisis support. 
Participants were ask to donate $1 a day for their free guided meditations, equating to $28 each which covers the cost to answer a crisis call. Since Lifeline was not able to hold any fundraising events this year, ‘28 for Twenty Eight’ provided needed funds during a demanding year, raising a total of $31,900 for Lifeline which answers 1139 crisis calls.
The event engaged over 38,000 people, raising awareness about the benefits of meditation and the challenges lifeline are facing to provide response to an escalation in suicide rates and mental health challenges experienced in the community.
The event is inclusive, safe and welcoming to all, and will be held again in October 2021 to continuing offering support, raising awareness and raising funds for Lifeline.