Maxine DeHart ecstatic over strong turnout at United Way charity drive-thru breakfast

'Ecstatic' over turnout

Even as the final minutes were ticking down, cars were still lining up to be part of the Maxine Dehart United Way BC Drive-Thru breakfast at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre in Kelowna Thursday morning.

A lot more people turned out than she had anticipated.

“I was worried,” said DeHart. “After COVID I know some businesses are suffering and people too.

“I was a little concerned this year to have the people out, although the sponsorship has been bigger than it ever has been in my whole 24 years. And now the people have come out.”

She was ecstatic with the turnout. DeHart is proud that all the money raised goes back into the community.

“We help over 30 agencies. The important thing for me, (is that) every cent stays in the community. That is what is important to me. Every drive-thru, every cent, no administration cost.

“The hotel gives me everything that we need. If anything else comes up, I go to my sponsors for extra money. So no money goes out of this drive-thru. It all goes to United Way and it all stays in our community.”

Since DeHart founded the charity breakfast in 1998, the event has raised nearly $1 million for United Way British Columbia-Southern Interior.