The Rotary Club of Penticton is donating more than a quarter-million dollars to the South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Medical Foundation’s campaign to provide the medical equipment for the upcoming expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital.
Club spokesman Ben Amos said the initial intent was to raise $250,000, which included a $100,000 donation from an anonymous individual club member to jumpstart the campaign. This gift was to be matched by other club members and their families for $100,000. The club itself will add a further $50,000 from its fundraising initiatives.
Individual club members have already surpassed their $100,000 goal. Amos is delighted by the quick response to the PRH Patient Care Tower campaign.
“I find it hugely gratifying. I want everyone looking at this great new place, to be able say: ‘I’m a part of it.’”
Amos noted the Rotary club periodically reviews prospective major projects which it could support.
“The hospital was recognized as the most significant project that this city is going to see in a long, long time, if ever,” he said.
The club’s New Projects Committee recommended Rotary, who has more than 55 members, support the PRH tower campaign which was subsequently approved by the membership.
Rotarian John Pankiw recently acknowledged that he is the club’s “anonymous” donor.
“I just wanted to make it interesting so that, with the matching fund, it might motivate everyone else to give,” Pankiw said. “Hopefully the momentum that we’ve generated will carry on and I believe it will.”
Janice Perrino, the foundation’s executive director, said she’s overwhelmed by the incredible response from the Rotary Club of Penticton. “We hope all of the region’s Rotary clubs will decide to become involved in this important project,” Perrino said.