Groups Get Dream Auction Grants

By Corey Fischer

Mar 21, 2019 | 12:26 PM

Over a dozen local and regional groups have benefited from $194,000 in donations from the Kalamalka Rotary Club

The funds come from the club’s record-setting Dream Auction last year.

“We were overwhelmed by the success of last year’s Dream Auction,” says Brian Reid, Kal Rotary local donations director. “The increased amount of funds raised meant we could donate significant amounts to several local groups, amounts that will make a real difference in their operations.”

Groups getting major donations include $45,000 to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre for building upgrades and maintenance, $30,000 to the VJH Surgical Care for Life program and $25,000 each to Canadian Mental Health for a kitchen upgrade and the Kindale Society for replacement of a stairway lift.

Also receiving donations are Abbeyfield Houses of Vernon for creek bed stabilization, Maven Lane Daycare for outdoor playground equipment, Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports for equipment modernization, and The Community Dental Access Centre to create a new restorative treatment area.

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Further recipients include JoeAnna’s House which provides regional accommodation for families at KGH, NOYFSS for completion of outdoor landscaping, the North Okanagan Optimists Club to expand their sponsorship of Unplug and Play Week, the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre to construct a traditional First Nations pit house, the North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association for a replacement UTV to assist with daily chores and the 1st. Coldstream Scout to aid with attendance at the Provincial Jamboree.

“Our members work diligently each fall to secure donations for Dream Auction and to host the event, so it’s always a rewarding task afterward to sort through all the worthy applications and give back to the community,” says Club President Ryan Fairburn.

“We’d like to give a sincere vote of appreciation both to the donors and to the generous buyers each year. We are inspired by this community’s compassion and willingness to give,” adds Fairburn.

The club will announce its international donation recipients in the near future.

by Corey Fischer