Father’s Day celebration

Discovery House hosts inspiring fundraiser

Father’s Day, the third Sunday in June, is generally a “feel good” day to begin with especially if you’re blessed to have kids. For those who attended the Discovery House Father’s Day Family Fun Day yesterday you couldn’t help but feel good for the men who have triumphed over addiction. It’s never easy, it’s a long, hard-fought battle and sadly many lose the fight.

Discovery House is a social agency with a remarkable success rate thanks to its dedicated staff and the community at large for its continued support.

Several of the dads in attendance on Sunday were former clients of Discovery House who benefitted from the services offered there. They were able to come clean against alcohol and drug addiction. It’s not a secret, these men are glad to share their story.

One of the themes of the annual event is to reconnect fathers with their families. Many addicts have lost contact with their own kids and parents due to their battles with addiction.

The event, which began several years ago as a low-key affair in the backyard of Discovery House has since morphed into a community fundraiser with road hockey, zumba dancing, games for the kids, a barbecue and the always-popular dunk tank. The event’s success is thanks in part to co-operation from the City of Penticton and sponsorship from Parkers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, among others.

Discovery House is moving to a larger location and, to the credit of Penticton City Council, a zoning amendment was granted. On the night of the public hearing the greatest ambassadors for Discovery House were the residents who lived beside the present location. They described the men from Discovery House as “great neighbours.”

There’s no better reference in the world than the people who live next door to you.

—James Miller