Mamas raises big bucks
Rob Gibson - Nov 06, 2019 - Get Involved

Photo: Contributed

Mamas for Mamas broke new ground as its fifth annual gala on Saturday raised $300,000 for the charity.

The gala at Kelowna’s Okanagan Golf Club was a throwback to the Great Gatsby era, complete with champagne, cigars and a show-stopping burlesque performance. The goal was to raise $250,000 at the event.

“Poverty isn’t their issue, poverty is our issue, it is everyone’s issue,” Mamas founder and CEO Shannon Christensen told the sold-out crowd. “Poverty affects us economically, socially, personally and politically. The truth is we just can’t afford to ignore the impact poverty has on our neighbours and on our community as a whole. One in five children live in absolute poverty right here in Kelowna. We can do better.”

Funds raised from the gala will support the Mamas At-Risk program, which has already served more than 6,000 families in 2019, up from 3,998 in 2018. This rapidly growing program supports mothers, fathers and families in crisis who are facing homelessness, hunger and poverty-related issues.

“Grateful doesn’t quite reflect how I feel toward our attendees from Saturday,” Christensen said. “I am in awe of each and every one of them. In awe of the new friends we have made and the long-term supporters who never fail to show their support. It was completely surreal watching a room full of powerful and compassionate people working together to help us make long term changes to poverty based systems.

“These donors and guests are changing the future of thousands of families who would otherwise fall through the cracks. We didn’t just fund our biggest and most expensive program this last weekend. We funded a positive future for thousands.”


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