Vernon fundraiser blew past $25,000 goal and still counting

Photo: Contributed

Kristin Postill, Brittney Page and 19 others paddled the length of Kalamalka Lake with the goal of raising $25,000 for the People Place.

A standup paddleboard fundraiser has been a smashing success.

Kristin Postill, Brittney Page and 19 others paddled the length of Kalamalka Lake with the goal of raising $25,000 for the People Place.

They not only reached their goal, but surpassed it, raising $40,000 and counting.

"Stand Up For..." is an annual fundraising effort by the two born-and-raised Vernonites who return to the area each summer to paddleboard the 16-kilometre length of Kalamalka Lake in support of a chosen charity.

This year, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they chose the People Place, and in only three weeks they shattered their initial fundraising goal of $25,000, setting their sights on a stretch goal of $40,000 which they’ve now surpassed.

Elaine Collison and Katherine Mortimer, general managers of the People Place, said the duo has exceeded all expectations for the campaign and raised invaluable funds that will go directly to service the community.

Postill said the money raised will go directly to benefit the People Place, which houses up to 20 other charitable organizations.

“Every single tenant is a non-profit with a mission to help the community, making it the perfect choice for this year’s paddle because of its reach," she said. "We couldn’t be more humbled and grateful for the incredible community response received.”

With the People Place’s usual annual fundraising events cancelled due to COVID-19, Stand Up for the People Place paddle event couldn’t have come at a better time.

“This is our third annual ‘Stand Up For’ event and we are completely overwhelmed by the response,” said Page. “Raising awareness of the People Place for the next generation of community leaders was a goal within a goal for us so it was especially wonderful to see the local businesses get involved in the campaign and share on social media.”

To donate to the fundraiser, click here.