Vernon Jubilee Hospital Light a Bulb campaign raising money for respiratory department

Photo: VJH

Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s Light a Bulb campaign is lighting up people's lives by raising money to help residents breathe easier.

Donations are starting to come in, with the Armstrong Spallumcheen Healthcare Auxiliary donating $25,000, helping to kick off the campaign.

The Desert Cove Homeowners Association also contributed more than $5,300 from collected recyclables this year.

All funds raised go towards the purchase of two new ventilators and other urgently needed hospital equipment.

“We’re grateful for the ingenuity and continuous support,” says VJH Foundation executive director Kate McBrearty.

The campaign features the addition of a light-up tree with the hospital's usual bright white heart sitting at the top of the building.

“The new tree is not only a tribute to our healthcare and support staff, who continue to work tirelessly, it also serves as a sincere thank you to our generous North Okanagan residents who support our holiday campaign year after year. It shines a bright light on our community.”

Foundation president and Light a Bulb chair ?Michael Kinghorn adds: “We’re incredibly grateful for these generous contributions. What also inspires us are the supporters who make gifts of $35, $50, $100 and more, every year. They see that the centre of a healthy community is its hospital. These new ventilators will be a welcome addition to the Respiratory Therapy Department, helping residents of the North Okanagan breathe a little easier in the coming years.”

“Every gift, great or small, brings us closer to raising $275,000 for critical equipment at VJH.”

You participate in a variety of ways this year, including completing submissions for the Light a Bulb colouring contest. Forms can be downloaded from the foundation website, Facebook and Instagram pages.

Submissions must be submitted no later than Dec. 19 for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to a local store of the winners’ choice.

Donations to Light a Bulb can be made online, via phone at 250-558-1362 or mailed to Vernon Jubilee Hospital, 2101-32nd Street, Vernon BC V1T 5L2.