Connoisseurs’ Auction Helps TELL Move Closer to 24/7 Lifeline, Chat-based Services

Published on December 1, 2015

Thank you for all your kind support and donations!

On November 24, TELL hosted its 20th Annual Connoisseurs’ Auction, raising millions of yen to support its delivery of mental health services to the international community in Japan.

Among the donated items on offer at the auction was a salmanazar (that’s 12 bottles of wine in one!) of Duval-Leroy Champagne; a wine tasting for eight at Berry Bros. & Rudd, catered by Ristorante Gliese; a “year of dining”, comprising meals at 12 fine Tokyo restaurants; and a three-night stay in an oceanview suite at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Waikiki.

“TELL was founded to serve the community, but we also rely on the community for support,” said Roberto De Vido, TELL’s Executive Director. “Like nearly every non-profit organization, we find it challenging to raise the funds that will allow us to do all the things we would like to, and we are very grateful to our donors, sponsors and other friends whose generosity allows us to operate our Lifeline and provide other much-needed services. Some of the funds raised by our Connoisseurs’ Auction will support our efforts to introduce chat-based Lifeline services, continuing to work toward our goal of extending our Lifeline service.”

Earlier this year, TELL opened a telephone counseling facility in Kobe to accommodate Kansai-resident volunteer telephone counselors, a move it hopes will providing 24/7 English-language Lifeline support service throughout Japan.