Pregnancy forces mom to quit job
Afirst Christmas with a new baby sister will be an adjustment for Maria. The five-year-old Kelowna girl wasn’t really excited about having a baby in the house, mom Rosie says.
“She is not a doll kid,” Rosie says, smiling. “She’s a Lego kid. She loves to build. She loves to read.”
She also isn’t sure about dividing “Grandma’s snuggles,” but Maria is learning to share with new baby Rei.
“She’s OK with it until we go and visit her grandparents,” Rosie says.
Despite the exciting new arrival for the family, which includes dad Thomas, Christmas arrives this year with some worry.
Rosie was working at a convenience store that was robbed twice during her pregnancy. Her doctor ordered her to quit. That has led them to the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank. Nearly 4,000 people, one-third of them children, access the food bank’s programs each month.
You can help ensure families like Rosie’s are able to participate in the joy of the season by donating to Be an Angel.
You can Be an Angel four ways: drop by The Daily Courier office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to donate cash or by cheque, debit or credit card; use your credit card to donate online at KelownaDailyCourier.ca (click on “Be an Angel” along the top); make a contribution at any Valley First Credit Union branch; or use your credit card over the phone by calling The Daily Courier at 250-470-0756.
All contributors will be recognized with their name in the paper, and all donors who give $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. For a list of the latest donors and money raised so far,
Outdoor market set for Dec. 14-16 at Kelowna’s Rotary Centre for the Arts
An outdoor Christmas market in Kelowna will be brimming with festive cheer next weekend while also supporting those in need.
The inaugural Okanagan Christmas Fest will be presented Dec. 14-16 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
The outdoor market will be European-inspired, with local artisans selling food, ornaments, jewelry and more.
Live entertainment will be provided by a jazz band and a choir.
“It will be a magical weekend of lights and entertainment and shopping,” said Rosanne TingMak Brown, organizer of the event. “(People) can expect to be really immersed in the Christmas experience, enjoy the sounds and smells of Christmas, of a little bit of last-minute Christmas shopping and enjoy the entertainment.”
In addition to the outdoor market, there will be an indoor Christmas tree walk featuring trees that have been sponsored and decorated by local businesses.
Those trees will also be auctioned off on Dec. 17 at the Kanata Hotel in support of the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank.
Tickets to the Christmas Fest cost $5, but admission is free for children ages 12 and younger.
Money raised from the event will go to the local food bank.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Kanata, which is the presenting sponsor of the event, donated $1,000 to the food bank.
This time of year is a busy one for the food bank, said Lenetta Parry, executive director of the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank.
“This Christmas, the Central Okanagan Food Bank is preparing to distribute 2,000 Christmas hampers,” she said.
Hampers include turkey, stuffing, seasonal produce and an assortment of treats.
The food bank has also partnered with Kelowna Santas to provide gifts for 1,200 local children.
“Christmas at the food bank requires a ton of resources, an army of volunteers and a mountain of food,” said Parry. “We simply could not do it without events like the upcoming Okanagan Christmas Fest or without our community partners such as Kanata.”