Giving changes everything
Since 1978 the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation has been the bridge between a generous community and its rapidly growing healthcare needs.
Working together, we’ve turned a small, regional hospital into a centre for healthcare excellence that provides critical services not only to our community, but to the 750,000 newborns, children, youth, adults and seniors throughout the Interior of BC.
The partnership between the KGH Foundation and Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna is in concert with the spirit of collaboration characterizing the project, on a level the community has not seen before. The generosity of this com- munity in supporting world-class health care has proven there’s no limit to things we can accomplish when we work together.
Over the past few months, those passionate about this cause have gotten more creative than ever in helping raise the funds necessary to achieve the $2million goal.
Al Hildebrandt, an outgoing and wellknown Kelowna technology executive wanted to invest in a meaningful local project that helped families struggling with the many social issues their children face each day.
Al and his wife Irene hosted a private dinner party where guests heard first-hand about issues our youth and caregivers face daily.
“The need for a single location, care launch pad is far greater than we originally understood. We believe that Foundry Kelowna will have a life-changing impact on many people in our community,” says an emotional Al.
For nearly 10 years, the Wentworth family has supported the health care needs of children, actively fundraising through their twice annual student concert series.
The series has grown to become Canada’s largest student rock concert and continues to sell out the 850-seat Kelowna Community Theatre. The proceeds from their ONEderful Concert this past February were donated to the Not Alone campaign to support Foundry.
“Getting the kids involved in raising money to support their own peers is incredibly impactful,” says owner Noel Wentworth. “They begin to see how their gift for music can truly be transformational in more ways than one.”
There are a few ways you could get involved with Not Alone. You could: Host a fundraising event. This could be anything – a bake sale, community yoga class, a sports tournament, a lemonade stand, a movie night or bottle drive. Then you could donate the proceeds.
Volunteer at one of our events. A few coming up include our Day of Giving on June 1st, Bike ‘n Braai on June 4th or SaveOn Foods BBQ on June 11th.
Help spread the word. Follow our Facebook page and share our videos and posts so that all of your network can learn more about Foundry Kelowna and the impact it will have on youth mental health. Hashtag #notalone #kghfoundation
Start a Go-Fund Me page in honor of a friend or loved one with all proceeds directed to the Not Alone campaign.
You can get creative with your gift: fundraise amongst staff, donation a portion of sales for the day, hold a fundraising event, or simply make a cash donation.
Every single contribution to the Not Alone campaign will have a profound impact. Not just for the youth and families in need. Indeed, giving to support health care benefits us all, but our donors and volunteers have told us time and again that giving has changed them personally in so many ways.
Giving changes everything.