Photo: Child and Youth Advocacy Centre
Child and Youth Advocacy Centre of Kelowna has launched its 2025 car raffle.
The annual raffle, held in conjunction with the CSN Collision Father’s Day Car Show, raised $60,000 last year for CYAC’s work with local families impacted by abuse and neglect.
“Only one person is going to win a car, but every ticket is going to make a difference,” CYAC executive director Ginny Becker said.
“The raffle does more than raise funds; it opens the door to meaningful connections to our work supporting children on the road to healing.”
The 2025 grand prize is a 2020 GMC Acadia AT4 SUV, loaded with features and only 30,000 kilometres on the odometer. The vehicle was donated by the Lift Auto Group.
“We’re proud to support the CYAC and their essential work with vulnerable children and families,” Lift Auto Group president and CEO Mark Reineking. “The raffle and Father’s Day Car Show are powerful ways to engage the community, raise awareness, and rally support for a cause that truly matters.”
Raffle tickets are on sale until the final draw on June 30. Tickets are one for $25 or five for $100 and can be purchased here.
You can visit the vehicle in person at the CSN Collision Father’s Day Car Show on June 15 in Kelowna City Park.
Photo: S2S
They came, they skied, and they raised a lot of money.
The fourth annual S2S Ski Marathon was held at Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and SilverStar Mountain Resort earlier this month, with the silent auction raising approximately $14,000 for KidSport Vernon.
The S2S partner charity provides grants for kids aged 18 and under in Greater Vernon to play a season of sport.
The two-day Nordic event featured 21-km and 41-km races and two ski techniques: classic and skate. Registrations were up 20% over last year, with more than 700 participants and 980 race entries.
While maintaining a strong local focus, skiers came from all across Canada, the U.S., Norway, Sweden and Australia, ranging in age from six to 85 years old. They included elite, competitive and ‘finishing is winning’ categories.
“The ‘finishing is winning’ category is for those participants that want to try a ski marathon for the first time, or just want to enjoy the day and go at their own pace,” according to a press release.
New this year were the Stussi night sprints, with development and elite categories.
“This exciting race format, with $3,400 of prize money, brought 22 elite men and 14 elite women to our community. Many of these athletes had recently finished the World Cup circuit. Developing athletes included some emerging talent as young as 11 years old,” organizers said.
In its four years, S2S donations to KidSport total more than $45,000. Catherine Friesen, an S2S volunteer who organizes the silent auction, is thrilled with how much the S2S is giving back to our community.
“We’re so grateful for the generous donations from sponsors and other local businesses that have made the S2S silent auction a success every year,” Friesen said.
Photo: Tim Hortons
The YMCA Healthy Snack program will be the recipient of proceeds raised during this year’s Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign in the Central Okanagan.
The campaign kicks off today (April 28) and continues through May 4 at all Tim Hortons stores in Kelowna and West Kelowna. One hundred per cent of Smile Cookie sales will benefit local children.
“With the rising cost of food, more and more families are struggling to afford nutritious food. Sadly, an increasing number of children are coming to us hungry,” YMCA of Southern Interior BC philanthropy vice-president Tammie Watson said. “Funds raised through the Smile Cookie Campaign help us ensure all children in our care receive daily healthy snacks to help nourish their minds and bodies, allowing them to shine and reach their full potential.”
There’s a new element to Smile Cookie Week this year. The YMCA has introduced a scavenger hunt. Each store in West Kelowna and Kelowna will have a secret phrase on a poster in the store. Collect all three phrases and email [email protected] to be entered to win one of two exciting YMCA and Tim Hortons surprise gift bags.
Local Tim Hortons restaurants have been supporting the YMCA Healthy Snack Program through their Smile Cookie Campaign since 2013. Last year the campaign raised $81,438, which went towards providing over 400,000 healthy snacks to YMCA child-care participants.
To pre-order your Tim Hortons Smile Cookies in support of the Y, click here.
Photo: CSN
A few dozen people will once again soon be pulling double duty on both Kelowna’s greens and ice—all in support of their community.
The fourth annual CSN Average Players Who Give a Puck extravaganza will feature 42 people playing both hockey and golf on Saturday, May 3.
Participants were asked to collect auction prizes to raise funds for Central Okanagan Food Bank and Project Literacy. Those highly coveted attractions are now available for the public to bid on as part of an online silent auction that will close on Thursday, May 1, at 8 p.m.
“It’s not every day you see players sprint from slapshots to sand traps, but beneath their valiant efforts is caring hearts to address food insecurity and literacy in our community,” according to the event’s press release.
The silent auction can be found here.
Photo: Contributed
(L to R): Kelowna Subaru owners Christina Bailey and Anthony Lunelli, Kelowna Nordic president Marshall Moleschi and vice-president Lisa Howard.
Kelowna Subaru has made a hefty donation to Kelowna Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Club.
The auto dealership presented a cheque for $10,000 to the club earlier this week, providing a big boost toward the latter’s fundraising efforts to buy a new groomer.
The new piece of equipment has a heavy price tag of $600,000, and this week’s donation brings Kelowna Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Club to within $120,000 of its goal.
“Kelowna Nordic is so very appreciative for this very significant donation towards a new groomer,” president Marshall Moleschi said in a press release. “As many in the Central Okanagan know, our current machines are a quarter of a century old, suffered significant and frequent breakdowns this past season and are over 30 percent past their best years.
“The need for a new groomer is important and urgent.”
Kelowna Nordic Club’s extensive trails system and rustic cabins support cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in a pristine natural environment, so the fundraising push will continue.
“With further support from organizations, businesses and individuals in the central Okanagan, the Kelowna Nordic Club is confident that we will soon be able to purchase a new grooming machine,” Moleschi said. “A new grooming machine will ensure a sustainable, affordable and active winter experience for the locals and visitors.”
More information about the fundraising effort can be found on the Kelowna Nordic website here.
Photo: Contributed
Hockey Helps the Homeless is back and calling on local players to hit the ice for a great cause.
Taking place May 22 at Kelowna’s MNP Place, the tournament offers an opportunity to skate alongside NHL alumni while raising funds to support BGC Okanagan’s programs aimed at preventing youth homelessness.
This year’s tournament features former NHL players Shea Weber, Wade Redden, Brad May and Rene Bourque.
Space is limited, and teams and individual spots are filling fast.
“This event is not just about hockey, it’s about giving local youth a better future,” Richelle Leckey, BGC Okanagan community engagement co-ordinator, said in a press release.
“Last year, the response from our community was incredible, and the funds raised had a direct impact on young people in need. We’re calling on local players, teams, and businesses to step up and make this year’s tournament an even bigger success.”
Participants will get to play in three hockey games with at least one former professional player per team, receive personalized jerseys and socks, enjoy a participant gift package and exclusive draft night reception. They will also get game-day food, beverages, merchandise and take part in exciting fundraising incentives.
Every dollar raised through HHTH Okanagan helps fund BGC Okanagan’s low-barrier services, including shelter diversion and Upstream Kelowna programs, ensuring youth in our community receive the support they need.
Businesses and individuals can sponsor a team or register to play, rallying employees, clients, friends and family to lace up their skates for a meaningful cause. Sponsors receive premium recognition throughout the event, including signage, social media exposure and digital advertising. Players can also register individually as free agents.
“This tournament is a special way to bring people together and make a real difference,” Peacock Sheridan Group partner Brent Peacock said. “We encourage hockey lovers and businesses to get involved and help us raise funds for an important local cause.”
Hockey Helps the Homeless is a nationally registered charity that hosts one-day adult tournaments across 21 cities in Canada, where participants of all genders play alongside hockey greats while raising funds to combat homelessness.
Photo: Contributed
Downtown Kelowna Association has put out the call for board of director nominations.
Nominees must be a property owner or tenant of a light industry or business within the downtown Kelowna boundary, which is primarily, but not limited to, the areas north of Harvey Avenue, west of Richter Street and south of Clement Avenue.
Nominees will agree to serve a two-year term, attend monthly meetings from 5-7 p.m. and have an active interest in downtown Kelowna.
The nomination deadline is Monday, April 21, at 4 p.m. Forms can be picked up at the DKA office or downloaded here.
The new board will be unveiled at the DKA’s annual general meeting on June 4.
Photo: Contributed
Interior Wildlife is hoping you will support it as it works to help rehabilitate injured wildlife across the region.
Interior Wildlife founder Eva Hartmann says urban sprawl in the Okanagan is hurting wildlife.
Hartmann’s organization receives hundreds of inquiries to help injured animals every year, and the public has come to expect the service, which is only provided by privately run rehabilitation centres like Interior Wildlife.
She said they received nearly 2,000 inquiries last year.
“More housing developments for humans means less space for wildlife in the Okanagan,” Hartmann said.
“More often than not, this comes with an unwillingness by some locals to share our neighbourhoods with wild animals. Predators are villainized, and rodents are labelled as unwanted pests.”
Interior Wildlife helps with all sorts of wildlife situations and is also often contacted about young animals that appear to be abandoned.
“Now is the time that has us answering a lot of spring baby wildlife questions,” she said. “What is normal, what is not and most importantly if you intervened unnecessarily, how to proceed to save the day for a wild animal.”
In the Okanagan, Interior Wildlife is the only centre that cares for non-raptor birds, reptiles and small mammals. It admits about 100 animal patients every year, including displaced bats, injured beavers, porcupines, turtles and swans.
In order to keep the centre going Hartmann said they need at least $50,000 annually.
“We have our own facility that is on three acres, and includes indoor-outdoor enclosures, and treatment rooms,” she said.
If anybody finds a wild animal in distress that they think might need help, they are encouraged to send an email at [email protected].
“We answer those inquiries every day, seven days a week,” Hartmann said.
To support their work, the Wildlife Film Festival will take place April 10 at Mary Irwin Theatre in Kelowna. The goal of the fundraising event is to help the society purchase veterinary medical equipment.
In addition to films being displayed, a silent auction will be held.
“We have a lot of amazing items to bid on, including a flight for two on WestJet, beautiful nature artwork, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, wellness and shopping gift cards,” Hartmann said. “There is definitely something for everyone.”
Minimum bids start at 30% of retail value, and these range from $20 to $4,000. For more information on Interior Wildlife’s operations and how to support the society at its upcoming fundraiser, click here.
Photo: Okanagan College Basketball
The NCAA men’s basketball championship will be decided on Monday night.
Next year, you could be there watching the Final Four semifinals and title match in person—all in support of Okanagan College basketball.
Kelowna College Basketball Society, which oversees Okanagan College men’s and women’s hoops teams, is conducting a silent auction and 50/50 draw over the next month and a half. The grand prize of the silent auction is a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the 2026 Final Four weekend in Indianapolis.
Donated by Venue Kings’ Anthony Beyrouti, who is the developer behind Water Street by the Park in downtown Kelowna, the big prize is a trip for two to the 2026 NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis, including round-trip airfare from Vancouver, four nights in a top-tier hotel, and premium lower-bowl seats for both semifinals and the championship game.
“OC Basketball is a self-funded program, and your support is essential to keeping it alive,” said Dino Gini, who coaches the OC men’s team and is one of the program founders. “Every dollar raised through our 50/50 draw and online auction goes directly toward travel, training, equipment and other vital costs that allow our athletes to compete at the highest level.
“This isn’t just about basketball; it’s about giving dedicated student-athletes the chance to grow, represent our community and chase their goals. Without community support, the program can’t continue. Help us keep OC Basketball strong, competitive and alive.”
There are dozens of other silent auction prizes that cover a wide range of interests, including Vancouver Canucks tickets, McDonald’s coffee for a year, green fees at area golf courses, a Sparkling Hill experience and a framed Nikola Jokic jersey.
The 50/50 draw, meanwhile, has a maximum jackpot of $20,000, which means the winner could take home $10,000.
The silent auction and 50/50 draw will continue until May 29, when a windup party will be held at Mid-Town Station.
You can bid on the silent auction and get your 50/50 draw tickets on the Okanagan College Basketball website here.
Photo: South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation
A new event combining elegance and generosity is coming to the South Okanagan.
On June 5 at Poplar Grove Winery, join an exclusive afternoon tea service, fashion show and speaking event in support of the South Okanagan Medical Foundation.
The foundation is pushing to help raise the final $250,000 needed to finish the Penticton Regional Hospital oncology centre upgrades.
“Cancer touches so many lives in our community,” SOS Medical Foundation development officer Karla Ziegler said. “The Golden Chari-Tea is about coming together, not only to enjoy a special afternoon but to support something that truly matters.
“This event is a perfect blend of social engagement and philanthropic support, offering a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends, enjoy a beautiful afternoon, and contribute to the health and well-being of our community. Every ticket sold, every auction item donated, helps us move closer to improving cancer care right here at home.”
Tickets are $150, with a $100 tax receipt provided, and include the tea service, the fashion show presented by Mi Amor, guest speakers relating to women’s health and well-being, and a silent auction and raffle.
Tickets are not yet available, but as space will be limited, the SOS Medical Foundation urges anyone interested to join the VIP list online here to be notified when access to tickets is available.
