Kal Rotary donates bigtime

Photo: Carousel Studios

Vernon's Kalamalka Rotary Club has announced $194,000 in donations to 14 local organizations following its record-setting Dream Auction. 

Major donations include $45,000 to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre for building upgrades and maintenance, $30,000 to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital 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 stair lift.

“We were overwhelmed by the success of last year’s Dream Auction,” said club donations director Brian Reid.  “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.”

Additional donations were made to 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. 

Further recipients included JoeAnna’s House, which will provide accommodation for families at Kelowna General Hospital, NOYFSS for completion of outdoor landscaping, the North Okanagan Optimists Club to expand its 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, and the First Coldstream Scouts 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, said Kal Rotary president Ryan Fairburn, “so it’s always a rewarding task afterward to sort through all the worthy applications and give back to the community.”