Swinging with the Stars shines
Brayden Ursel - Mar 11, 2024 - Get Involved

Hundreds of people filled the Delta Grand Hotel in Kelowna on Saturday evening for the 15th edition of the Swinging with the Stars fundraiser for Central Okanagan Hospice Association.

“We are celebrating 15 years with Swinging with the Stars, and the energy here is absolutely crazy,” COHA executive director Natasha Girard said. “We are so proud of our community for coming with us on this journey for 15 years, and tonight we have an amazing six teams who are going to show all of their hard work and dance the night away on the dance floor.”

Girard said the fundraiser has brought in more than $3 million for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association since 2010, and the money raised this year will go towards its grief and bereavement program. She said COHA is experiencing unprecedented demand for the number of individuals accessing their services, including children, youth and adults.

“The money this year is going towards helping to support those individuals, to enhance access for individuals, as well as build volunteer capacity and educational opportunities,” Girard said.

“To help our community build tools that they can use themselves to be supporting individuals, whether they are in their workplace or at home, to be able to build confidence for individuals as well.”

Aside from fundraising since October, six teams spent a number of months practicing their dance routine, all bringing their own personal flair to the dance floor.

“Oh my goodness, we have quite the lineup this year of six teams, and all the dances are different. I think that’s what makes it so unique, is that all the dances bring such good energy and good diverse music and moves and upbeats. That’s what gets the energy moving in the room,” Girard said.

“We know that it takes vulnerability to be a part of this event, and it’s not easy to get up in front of 550 people to dance, so we really commend and we are so proud of every dancer who comes on board to push through their vulnerability because they believe in our community and they believe in what the Central Okanagan Hospice Association does.”

With a goal to raise $600,000 this year, Central Okanagan Hospice Association is still accepting donations online. Visit its website to make a donation.

Swift tickets up for grabs
Okanagan Edge Staff - Feb 27, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: BANG Showbiz

You could end up with a pair of Taylor Swift tickets in your hands if you attend a charity concert coming up in Kelowna next month.

James Barker Band, along with Kelowna’s Dawson Gray, will perform a charity concert on Sunday, March 10, at Prospera Place. All funds raised from the concert will go towards Team Love Birds, which is competing the night before in the Swinging with the Stars event to raise money for Central Okanagan Hospice Association.

As for Swift, the connection is this: Everyone who purchases a ticket to the James Barker Band concert will be automatically entered in a draw for two tickets to see Swift at Vancouver’s BC Place on Dec. 6.

“We’re thrilled to bring together an evening of incredible music for a cause that truly matters,” GSL Group general manager Mike Strawn said in a press release. “The James Barker Band and Dawson Gray are sure to captivate the audience, and with the added incentive of a chance to win Taylor Swift tickets, we hope to make this event even more memorable for everyone involved.”

Tickets for the March 10 concert are available through Select Your Tickets.

Business fundraises for sick kids
Josh Dawson - Feb 15, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: Facebook

A Kamloops barre and yoga class is hoping to raise awareness and funds for those afflicted with rare diseases.

Kristen Pickell, owner of Movement Collective, said she’ll be hosting a barre yoga fusion class later this month as part of a fundraiser for two local families, titled Rise for Rare.

All proceeds from the event will go to the families of 11-year-old Jude Mitton, who is living with the fatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and 10-year-old Jack Gauthier, who lives with ASH1L.

“We found that the recoveries that we’re raising the money for and helping out … there are no funding for these things, so parents are at cost for all these things as well,” Pickell said.

“It’s difficult, and we want to make sure that we support them in a way that we can as a community.”

Pickell said there are 17 spaces in the class but it’s filling up fast. She said the fundraiser’s goal is to raise $510, which will be split between the Mitton and Gauthier families.

“These things just need to be talked about and shared so that people are more aware of these things,” Pickell said.

The one-hour class will be held Feb. 24, on International Rare Disease Day.

The class will run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Yew Street Food Hall, which is located at 107 Yew St.

For more information or to register, click here.

Scotiabank fills Army kettles
Rob Gibson - Feb 14, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: Contributed
(L to R): Scotiabank’s Chris Showler, The Salvation Army’s Angela Stadnyk and Major Mark Wagner, and Scotiabank’s Arvind Sharma and Melissa Mulderrig.

Scotiabank employees and some of their partners volunteered to help host Salvation Army Christmas kettles at three Kelowna locations over the Christmas season.

The goal was to help raise funds for the Salvation Army, with Scotiabank matching up to $15,000 through its Scotiabank Team Community Program.

The volunteers surpassed their goal by raising $28,301, and with Scotiabank adding $15,000 the total was $43,301.

“Scotiabank has partnered with us since 2011,” Salvation Army major Mark Wagner said. “We’re grateful to Scotiabank and its staff for their generous support of our work in this community.”

Miners donate to Mamas
Michael Potestio - Feb 02, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: Contributed

Employees from Kamloops’ New Afton Mine have turned their holiday spirit into a $25,000 donation to the local chapter of Mamas for Mamas.

Mamas for Mamas is a national non-profit that supports struggling families and caregivers across Canada struggling with of poverty, hunger and housing.

The mining company’s workers support three local charities annually with funds raised at their holiday parties through 50/50 draws, prize raffles and seat reservations.

This year, New Afton’s nearly 700 employees raised more than $75,000, with $25,310 going towards supporting Mamas for Mamas Kamloops.

“There are a number of great non-profits doing amazing work in Kamloops, and we are happy to be able to support them to continue to make a difference in the community,” New Gold, New Afton’s parent company, said in a news release.

“Mamas for Mamas initiatives support families facing poverty to improve the lives of children for years, making a long-term impact on families and children, and this work aligns with New Gold’s goal to create sustainable benefits for the communities in which we operate.”

The donation will be used to support Mamas for Mamas’ At-Risk Comprehensive Support program, an initiative that provides a safety net for families facing immediate challenges.

“Donations such as this bring us hope that we will soon be able to implement other programs such as Tiny Bundles and one day our very own Karma Market,” Kamloops volunteer Jillian Smith said.

Food bank table gets set
Madison Reeve - Jan 18, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: Contributed
Thomas Alan Budd and COFB director of development Trina Speiser.

Central Okanagan Food Bank reports more than $446,000 will go towards fighting local food insecurity thanks to generous donations and a successful Set The Holiday Table campaign.

The food bank says this year’s campaign, which ran throughout December, garnered overwhelming support from the community.

“The Thomas Alan Budd Foundation once again played a pivotal role in the success of the campaign, demonstrating unwavering philanthropy by contributing a substantial donation of $30,000. This generous contribution, combined with the support from countless individual donors, culminated in a remarkable total of $446,620.02 raised,” according to a news release.

The funds raised will play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity in the region and supporting those in need.

“These stories encourage connection on a very human level, while also challenging the assumptions that some people have made about food bank users,” COFB director of development Trina Speiser said.

Keith Construction helps out
Tracey Prediger - Jan 15, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: Tracey Prediger
Bryce Dahlen and Judy Korol in front of the new sign.

When grabbing snacks from the concession stand at Vernon’s Towne Theatre, you may notice new signage prominently displayed over the popcorn machine.

The sign represents Keith Construction’s 10-year financial commitment to the Towne.

Bryce Dahlen learned from his grandfather, who started the company, just how important it is for local business owners to give back to the community.

“My brother and I are the third (generation) carrying things on, and it feels good to support local and one of the busiest local theatres in Canada,” he said.

While the sign will hang above the concession stand, Dahlen said the Towne will be able to use the $30,000 in any way it would like.

Judy Korol is the sponsorship chair for the Towne and said the money will be used to maximize government funding that matches local donations of up to $60,000.

“We did win a government grant, but as you know grants have to be matched locally, and so we thank Bryce for coming forward and helping us with a good portion of that,” said Korol, who points out there is room for more contributions if any other businesses would like to come forward.

The Towne Theatre has been a part of Vernon’s downtown core for more than 100 years and is dedicated to promoting and enhancing community events.

Chamber seeks board members
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jan 03, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: Facebook

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is looking for a few good business people to join its board of directors.

The chamber has put out the call for board nominations, which will be accepted until Thursday, Feb. 1, at 4:30 p.m.

“As always, we look to strengthen the board’s multiple skill sets,” chamber past chairwoman Pamela Pearson said in a press release. “This ensures the chamber’s long-term health and success, and sets the tone for organizational effectiveness, innovation and vision, alongside our focus on equity, diversity and inclusion.

“Our directors are a reflection of our business community; engaged, forward-thinking, professional and reflect the wide range of Kelowna’s ever-growing business and community organizations.”

Chamber directors are volunteers from professional backgrounds who establish the strategic direction for the organization in accordance with its bylaws. Anyone interested in applying for the board can visit the chamber website here.

Kettle goal close in Kamloops
Josh Dawson - Jan 03, 2024 - Get Involved

Photo: The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Kamloops concluded its 2023 kettle campaign fundraiser with more than $230,000 raised, just shy of its goal for the season.

The annual kettle campaign ran from Nov. 15 to Dec. 23, with the goal of raising $240,000 in time for the holidays.

“Thanks to your generosity we were able to raise $230,590.41 through our Kettles,” the Salvation Army Kamloops said in a social media post.

“This money gets used locally throughout the year to run programs, feed the hungry and so much more.”

Campaign organizers said the campaign is the largest source of funding for the Salvation Army’s work in the community, with money raised going to back-to-school programs, food assistance, summer camps and emergency disaster services.

The Salvation Army said Dec. 14 the number of donations were “down substantially.”

Cheer Fund continues to grow
Tim Petruk - Dec 22, 2023 - Get Involved

Photo: BC Interior Community Foundation
Kamloops Coun. Nancy Bepple and BCICF director Terri Mochikas unveiled the new total Thursday for the Christmas Cheer Fund.

The Christmas Cheer Fund has passed the $21,000 mark, and there are still nine days left to donate to help the BC Interior Community Foundation reach its $60,000 goal.

Kamloops Coun. Nancy Bepple and BCICF director Terri Mochikas unveiled the new total on Thursday.

Money raised this year will go toward the Kamloops Legion, BGC Kamloops Journey Fund, Overland Residential Care Auxiliary and the Y Women’s Emergency Shelter.

Donations are being accepted until Dec. 31.

To donate online, click here. Cash, cheque, credit and debit card donations can also be made in person or dropped off at the BC Interior Community Foundation, 2-219 Victoria St., or at Castanet Kamloops, 102-635 Victoria St.

To view this year’s donors, click here.

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