Homeowners at Red Wing Resorts, inspired by the philanthropic legacy of David Kampe, have donated $25,700 to Penticton Regional Hospital.
The funding from a recent gala was directed to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation to help provide medical equipment for Phase 2 of the PRH expansion, including a major upgrade to the Emergency Department.
Kampe, who developed the 353-home gated community at the north entrance to Penticton, passed away just a few days after the Red Wing homeowners held the gala fundraiser for PRH on May 4.
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“Red Wing homeowners are well aware that at some point they will be utilizing the services provided by the hospital,” said Gerry Chalmers, vice-president of the Red Wing Homeowners Association.
Chalmers first suggested a fundraising campaign in January which was supported by association President Jan Creighton and the entire board—and a working group was soon established.
The original idea of raising $10 from each home through a door-to-door campaign evolved into the larger idea of a “Gala Evening” at the Red Wing clubhouse.
“The response was quite simply overwhelming, tickets sold out the first day,” Chalmers said.
“Volunteers were readily available and many of those unable to attend were quick to make donations to the fund.”
The gala included wine and appetizers, followed by a buffet dinner then dancing to the live music of the “Silver Wings.”
A silent auction, featuring donations from community-minded businesses and talented homeowners such as wood carvers, pilots and artists, raised more than $7,000 by itself.
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Nancy Eckstein, past president of the homeowners association, said Kampe was aware and pleased with the homeowners’ efforts to support the hospital.
“As a working group we saw first-hand just how generous and civic-minded our community is, which reinforces why we feel Red Wing is a beautiful place to call home,” she said.
No decision has been made on whether to make the gala an annual event or to hold some different form of a charity fundraiser in the future.
Construction of the Emergency Department upgrade at PRH will get underway soon and be completed by 2021.
John Moorhouse, development and communications officer with the foundation, said it has almost reached its $20 million goal, with roughly $300,000 left to raise.
“We’re very much at the home stretch so a donation of that amount certainly speaks volumes as far of the percentage of what is outstanding,” he said.