Canadian Event Awards

By Vernon Matters

Local honours

Two Kelowna charitable events named finalists in 2025 Canadian Event Awards

Apr 22, 2025 | 1:30 PM

Kelowna has earned national recognition with two local fundraising events named as finalists in the 2025 Canadian Event Awards.

The CYAC Once in a Blue Moon and the KGH Foundations Heart of Gold Gala are competing for the Best Large-Scale Fundraising Event title.

The winners will be announced at a Toronto gala on April 30.

In a press release, officials from both fundraisers weighed in on the achievement.

“It’s not just about our organizations—it’s a powerful reflection of the heart and spirit of our community,” Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation said. “Having two events from Kelowna honoured on a national stage in the same year speaks volumes about the generosity of the people who live here. The real winner here is our supporters and community.”

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The Canadian Event Awards are a leading platform that honours innovation, creativity, and the impact of live event production. Nominated events are selected by a panel of industry experts through a rigorous, merit-based judging process. The dual nomination of two Kelowna events highlights the city’s growing profile as a centre for high-impact fundraising.

The Heart of Gold Gala, presented by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, took place in September 2024 at the Kelowna Flightcraft Centre for Excellence. Hosted by Global BC’s Chris Gailus, the elegant evening raised $2.07 million from 211 guests to support surgical oncology at Kelowna General Hospital. This marks the third national nomination for the gala, which previously won Best Fundraising Event in 2022. Since its inception 26 years ago, the gala has raised over $9 million for healthcare advancements in the region.

Meanwhile, the CYAC’s Once in a Blue Moon™ event, hosted at O’Rourke Family Estate Winery in July 2024, saw 340 guests raise $2.5 million to support vulnerable children, youth, and families. The event, which featured world-class entertainment from The Tenors and Jens Lindemann, had originally been postponed due to the 2023 wildfires. The funds raised continue to support the delivery of trauma-informed services to young survivors of abuse and neglect through the CYAC.

“Being named a finalist alongside our colleagues at the KGH Foundation is a true honour,” Ginny Becker, Executive Director of the CYAC said. “To see two such remarkable expressions of giving unfold within a single season is a testament to the extraordinary generosity of our community. The impact of that generosity stretches far beyond events—it transforms lives, strengthens bonds, and creates a ripple effect of hope and support for everyone involved.”

Both organizations are proud to stand together as finalists, showcasing Kelowna’s unique and powerful philanthropic spirit. “It’s inspiring to see our two local organizations, both with unique but equal commitments to the care and well-being of our communities, celebrated side by side,” adds Young.