Sun shines on scholarship fund

The Okanagan Sun scholarship fund grew by more than $9,000 Thursday.

For the third year, Scotiabank made a sizable contribution to the fund through a fundraising effort at the Sun Scholarship dinner.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

(l to r) Cary Lehmberg Scotiabank, Paul Carson Sun, Gladys Fraser ScotiaBank, Les Weiss Sun and John Guidolin Scotiabank

Thursday's cheque added $9,280 to the scholarship's coffers.

"It means a lot. The money Scotiabank was able to raise for the scholarship fund is a big part of the Okanagan Sun now and for the future," says Sun President, Paul Carson.

"It certainly means a lot for student athletes for our team."

Over the years, more than 100 Sun athletes have benefited from the fund.

Carson says scholarships have been provided for players ranging from $500 to $3,500 per year.

"I think last year, 23 or 24 players received financial assistance. Between this money and other money we receive specifically for scholarships, we were able to fund all of those athletes," says Carson who adds most of the scholarship money remains here in the Central Okanagan.

"It's for players while they are with the Sun. Some of that funding does go to the athletes when they return home during the off season but a majority  of the funding is spent in this community."

Scotiabank spokesman, Cary Lehmberg says the scholarship program is a good fit for the bank.

"The culmination of amateur athletics and academics is a good fit for us and we're hopeful these funds will help players make a difference as well as in the classroom," says Lehmberg.

He says Scotiabank also shares the club's vision of one day offering a football program through UBC-Okanagan.

"We see that as a positive step for the program. It will open up the opportunities for players to come and get a university education. We're strongly supportive of that," adds Lehmberg.