Penticton and District Community Resources Society is pleased to announce the second annual Open Hearts Open House fundraiser on Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., along the Naramata Bench.
Sixteen local wineries will be opening their tasting rooms and generously donating 10 per cent of any sales to help families in need especially over the Christmas season
“Many families in our community are working harder than ever to make ends meet this year and come Christmas time, the burden to provide the basics and a few extras becomes very difficult,” said Heather Cooke, president of Penticton and District Community Resources Society. “The Open Hearts Open House fundraiser makes it possible for hundreds of families to not only put food on the table, but participate in some of the holiday joys that a lot of us take for granted.”
In recent years, families in the South Okanagan Similkameen region have faced more financial stress than ever before. Almost 20 per cent of the region’s population are living in poverty, and around one quarter of these people are under the age of six years of age, representing more than 3,000 children.
Penticton and District Community Resources Society offers a range of services to assist children and families, including those living in poverty.
The family assistance program helps families throughout the year, and especially over the Christmas season by way of financial assistance and Christmas supplies.
Last year, the Open Hearts Open House fundraiser made it possible to help 200 families with basic needs like diapers, food, transportation and Christmas presents for children.
Last year also marked the first Open House, Open Hearts event hosted by the wineries of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association.
Wineries along the Bench opened their doors, offered special holiday pricing and treats, and donated 10 per cent of their total sales to the family assistance fund.
Sixteen wineries are doing it again this year on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Further, the Naramata Heritage Inn and Spa is also hosting the Naramata Artisan Faire on the same day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so people can stop by the wineries on their way to or from the fair and pick up wines for seasonal events and gifts and support the PDCRS family assistance fund at the same time.
For more information on the event or for the list of participating wineries please visit the Penticton and District Community Resources Society website www.pdcrs.com