Charity and Donations

A kitten rescued from a feral colony in Midway looks at The Gazette Wednesday, May 26. The kittens will soon be up for adoption at the SPCA in Penticton. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Penticton man raises more than $100k in 6 years for local SPCA

Barry Zarudenec hosted his sixth annual event on Oct. 22 at the Copper Mug, helping raise $26,200

 

(Black Press Media Creative)

MacKenzie Scott donates $84.5 million to Girl Scouts

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $84.5 million to Girl Scouts of the USA…

 

Mandy Phillips, Kitchen Manager at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Thanksgiving shared with friends and family at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission

The team at the Mission cooked 30 turkeys and 16 hams for the Oct. 10 dinner

 

Penticton-based OSNS Legacy Foundation has been selected as one of the recipients of Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie campaign next week. (Contributed by Megan Windeler)

Thousands of Smile cookies sold, record $42K raised for Penticton child centre

100% of cookie proceeds sold at South Okanagan Tim Hortons went to OSNS’s Legacy Foundation

Penticton-based OSNS Legacy Foundation has been selected as one of the recipients of Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie campaign next week. (Contributed by Megan Windeler)
John Rusch from Applewood Heating (second from left) brought along Lennox Industries regional manager Mike Janzen of Kelowna (fourth from left) and a crew to Lumby Monday, Sept. 19, to install a new furnace at the Lumby Food Bank. Food bank volunteer Bob Wilkinson (third from left) smiles his approval. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Lumby Food Bank heats up with new furnace donation

Vernon’s Applewood Heating and Lennox Industries show and feel the love for food bank volunteers

John Rusch from Applewood Heating (second from left) brought along Lennox Industries regional manager Mike Janzen of Kelowna (fourth from left) and a crew to Lumby Monday, Sept. 19, to install a new furnace at the Lumby Food Bank. Food bank volunteer Bob Wilkinson (third from left) smiles his approval. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Penticton Firefighter Charity Society hosted its first-ever charity dodgeball tournament on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Firefighters’ inaugural charity dodgeball tournament a huge hit in Penticton

Organizers expect at least $10,000 to be raised by the end of the event

Penticton Firefighter Charity Society hosted its first-ever charity dodgeball tournament on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Enjoying a cider on the Summerland Heritage Cider Company’s patio in preparation for the upcoming 100 Men Who Care event on Sept.13. (Contributed)

Summerland cidery to host 100 Men Who Care event

Fundraiser will be at Summerland Heritage Cider Company on Sept. 13

Enjoying a cider on the Summerland Heritage Cider Company’s patio in preparation for the upcoming 100 Men Who Care event on Sept.13. (Contributed)
Penticton Fountain Tire owner Chuck Thompson hands over a cheque for nearly $4,000 to Starfish backpack program chair Tracy Van Raes. Fountain Tire has been offering flat tire repairs by donation with funds going to local charities. (Contributed)

Penticton Fountain Tire flat repairs help bring in close to $4K for Starfish backpack program

The donation will feed five kids on the weekends all year long

Penticton Fountain Tire owner Chuck Thompson hands over a cheque for nearly $4,000 to Starfish backpack program chair Tracy Van Raes. Fountain Tire has been offering flat tire repairs by donation with funds going to local charities. (Contributed)
Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day is Thursday, Aug. 11. (File photo) Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day is Thursday, Aug. 11. (File photo)

Treat yo’self at Dairy Queens across B.C.

August 11 is Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day is Thursday, Aug. 11. (File photo) Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day is Thursday, Aug. 11. (File photo)
Barley Mill Pub and Penticton Rotary provide $23,500 donation to Pathways Addictions Centre. (Contributed)

Penticton’s Barley Mill Pub comes up with big donation for addictions centre

The long-standing pub donated $23K through weekly meat draw and more

Barley Mill Pub and Penticton Rotary provide $23,500 donation to Pathways Addictions Centre. (Contributed)
Front row: Knights of Pythias chancellor commander Edwin Cale, Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen; Aaron McRann, executive diretor; Knights member Mike Firomski. Back: Knights treasurer Barry Owen, secretary Marv Wilson and lodge prelate Bill McConnell. (Contributed)

Penticton’s Knights of Pythias make donations to 9 charities

The donations are a yearly tradition of the Knights

Front row: Knights of Pythias chancellor commander Edwin Cale, Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen; Aaron McRann, executive diretor; Knights member Mike Firomski. Back: Knights treasurer Barry Owen, secretary Marv Wilson and lodge prelate Bill McConnell. (Contributed)
Ken Barkman at Save-On-Foods in Garrison Crossing on June 5, 2022. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

78-year-old Ken Barkman of Chilliwack riding 3,000 kilometres for BC Children’s Hospital

Grandfather helping son and wife, who have adopted four high-risk babies

Ken Barkman at Save-On-Foods in Garrison Crossing on June 5, 2022. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
The Okanagan Gleaners, pictured here at work in 2017 putting together food for deliver, is one of several charities being recognized and highlighted by the Oliver Tourism Association in their newest campaign. (Submitted)

Oliver campaign highlights local charities and businesses

The tourism association is hoping to bring awareness and support for the community

The Okanagan Gleaners, pictured here at work in 2017 putting together food for deliver, is one of several charities being recognized and highlighted by the Oliver Tourism Association in their newest campaign. (Submitted)
People are rallying behind the Drombolis family of North Langley. Dad Shane has been battling a rare form of cancer and mom Kristine was recently diagnosed with the very same condition. (GoFundMe)

Community rallies to help B.C. couple battling rare form of cancer

GoFundMe launched after wife was diagnosed with the same rare cancer husband is fighting

People are rallying behind the Drombolis family of North Langley. Dad Shane has been battling a rare form of cancer and mom Kristine was recently diagnosed with the very same condition. (GoFundMe)
The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen and its 100 Men Who Care Event is coming to Penticton’s Match Eatery on May 10. Three charities will make their pitches to receive donations from the event’s members. (Photo: Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen)

3 South Okanagan charities set to make funding pitches at 100 Men Who Care Event

The organization’s members will make donations at Penticton’s Match Eatery on May 10

The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen and its 100 Men Who Care Event is coming to Penticton’s Match Eatery on May 10. Three charities will make their pitches to receive donations from the event’s members. (Photo: Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen)
To continue supporting youth across BC, 11 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are coming together to host The Big BC Lotto. Buy your tickets now for a chance to win half the jackpot in a classic 50/50 draw!

Lotto for a cause: Half for you, half for ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ across BC!

The Big BC Lotto helps connect youth with caring mentors across the province

  • Apr 11, 2022
To continue supporting youth across BC, 11 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are coming together to host The Big BC Lotto. Buy your tickets now for a chance to win half the jackpot in a classic 50/50 draw!
Lily Bowers with her Ukraine flag-style quilt, made to help raise funds to support those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Sparwood woman raises over $2K for Ukraine with special handmade blanket

Lily Bowers donated $2,210 raised through ticket sales to the Red Cross

Lily Bowers with her Ukraine flag-style quilt, made to help raise funds to support those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Penticton-based Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, made a $22,609 donation to Summerland animal rescue Critteraid. The credit union donated a total of $250,000 to 13 charitable organizations, including Critteraid. (Photo courtesy of Josh Juhlke)

Penticton-based Valley First donates over $22k to Summerland animal rescue

Donation will go towards electrical upgrades at Critteraid

Penticton-based Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, made a $22,609 donation to Summerland animal rescue Critteraid. The credit union donated a total of $250,000 to 13 charitable organizations, including Critteraid. (Photo courtesy of Josh Juhlke)
Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)

Canada-Ukraine exchange students return to B.C. town to help and to remember

2008-09 Canada World Youth students spent three months in Ukraine and three months in Alberni

Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)
Sarah Beairsto (left), seven-year-old Harper Harvey and Debra Legge with boxes of Girl Guides cookies outside a warehouse in North Delta on Saturday, March 12. (Photo: Tom Zillich)

Girl Guides back to door-to-door cookie sales after 2 years of doing business differently

Chocolate/vanilla cookies sold in spring, and those who love the mint ones have to wait until fall

Sarah Beairsto (left), seven-year-old Harper Harvey and Debra Legge with boxes of Girl Guides cookies outside a warehouse in North Delta on Saturday, March 12. (Photo: Tom Zillich)
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