Hot chocolate for Valentine’s Day

The Travis/Spence family discovered the

Peachland Recovery Task Force’s Valentine’s Day Hot Chocolate Drive Thru Sunday morning while taking Idabel the dog for a walk. People could come by and pick up a free hot chocolate and

make a donation if they wanted. The idea behind the event was to keep people engaged in the community and ensure they're doing OK during the pandemic, said Shelley Sweeney

of the task force. Along with the drive-thru, the volunteers also wrapped up around 140 hot chocolate kits, complete with cup, hot chocolate mix and marshmallows in white paper and red ribbon to deliver to the seniors housing at 5th and 6th streets. “We wanted to make sure that nobody's forgotten on Valentine's Day,”

said Sweeney.

An online fundraising campaign to support a Peachland family whose newborn has severe cardiac issues has surpassed its goal.

James Lazeski was born to parents Steven and Heather Jan. 22.

A week after James and Heather came home to Peachland from Kelowna General Hospital, James returned to Kelowna General by ambulance crying in pain, cold to the touch and grey in colour.

Kelowna General Hospital confirmed James was hypothermic with heart failure and in cardiogenic shock.

James and his mother were taken to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver by air ambulance where Steven joined them shortly after by car.

James was admitted to the cardiac Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in critical condition. His heart was barely functioning.

Heather and Steven stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, trading shifts between supporting James at the hospital around the clock and being with their toddler Jade at Ronald McDonald House.

A Go Fund Me campaign was set up to support the parents’ ability to both be on leave from work.

According to a recent post by Steven, James was well enough to be allowed home Feb. 13.

Some of the money raised has been used for an oxygen and heart rate sensor, stethoscope, temperature sensor and baby scale so Steven and Heather can monitor James at home.

The baby remains on five different medications.

James is scheduled to return to B.C. Children’s Hospital with his family in two weeks for more tests and to assess how the baby is doing on his medications.

The online fundraising campaign had a $10,000 goal and is now over $16,000.

The family’s fundraising page can be found on Go Fund Me at gofundme.com/f/ HelpStartJamesHeart

Heidi Slyngbom, a volunteer with the Peachland Recovery Task Force, hands over hot chocolate to Louise MacNamara, who wanted to come out and support the event.

Chuck Clark, Randi Evans, Rachel Truant and Heidi Slyngbom of the Peachland Recovery Task Force were ready to hand out free hot chocolate Sunday.

Steve Sweeney was busy in the Peachland Community Centre kitchen mixing up a pot of hot chocolate at the Peachland Community Centre.

Go Fund Me Newborn James Michael Lazeski is in BC Children’s Hospital with a serious heart condition.

BARB AGUIAR/Westside Rick Ingram of the Peachland Recovery Task Force shows off one of the entry boxes that in place at Peachland restaurants for the Pig Out for Prizes initiative. People can win prizes by supporting local restaurants.