Tag Archive for: Kelowna

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Look Up, Way Up! Kelowna Skies Filled with Superheroes for a Great Cause

Kelowna, B.C., (Sept 26) — The skies were filled with superheroes today as men and women suited up and rappelled 23 storeys down a Kelowna high rise all to raise money for Easter Seals BC/Yukon. The sold-out event saw 50 participants step outside their comfort zone and rappel, raising over $64,000 and counting. This year’s total campaign goal is $300,000.

The new Landmark 7 Office Tower at 1700 Dickson Ave in Kelowna was host to this year’s Kelowna Drop Zone event. The event is the last in a series of five stops that were held across the province in September. Locations included: Vancouver (Sept. 7), Surrey (Sept. 12), Burnaby (Sept. 14), Victoria (Sept. 19), and Kelowna (Sept. 26).

“This event is so unique, and it challenges people to step outside of their comfort zone, which many of our clients must do every day,” says Easter Seals spokesperson Mike Leland. “The event also provides vital funding for our programs and services, which help break down barriers and provide individuals with diverse abilities the same opportunities as everyone else. This is critical if we are to create a truly inclusive, accessible and equitable society.”

Held across Canada each year, the event has raised more than $16 million for Seals programs and services, supporting children and adults living with disabilities. The event in its 18th year helps fund vital programs and services for kids and adults with disabilities.

“The Kelowna branch of Wellington-Altus Private Wealth is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2023 Easter Seals Drop Zone event in Kelowna,” said Emmy Pachenski, Senior Associate at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Kelowna branch. “As part of the Wellington-Altus family, a vital piece of our company culture has grown organically from within the community,” she adds.

“We admire the work Easter Seals BC/Yukon continues to do within our local communities and are privileged to come together to help persons with diverse abilities become unstoppable.”

Funds raised stay locally to help fund important programming and services for children and adults with disabilities. This includes operating three camps across the province; vital educational programs that help transition young adults into adulthood and teach those with diverse abilities the skills to find work in the hospitality industry. Near Vancouver Children’s Hospital, we also run Easter Seals House, a home away from home for anyone travelling to Vancouver for medical reasons.

Easter Seals Drop Zone is made possible with support of our sponsors Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd, GRM Inc. and Landmark District.

People wishing to support the cause can go to dropzonebc.ca to donate. All donations stay in the community.

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About Easter Seals BC/Yukon and BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities
Since 1952, Easter Seals BC & Yukon has provided programs and services to persons with diverse abilities that help improve their quality of life. For over six decades, the Society has helped over 1,000,000 families in need through transportation services, child health research, Easter Seals summer camps, Easter Seals House, post-secondary bursaries at seven regional colleges or universities, community access services, and patient care programs. www.eastersealsbcy.ca

About Wellington-Altus Private Wealth

Founded in 2017, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth (Wellington-Altus) is Canada’s top-rated* wealth advisory firm and one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. With more than $25 billion in assets under administration and offices across the country, Wellington-Altus identifies with successful, entrepreneurial advisors and their high-net-worth clients.

*Investment Executive 2023 Brokerage Report Card.

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Fundraiser puts a spin on riding for charity

November 22, 2022 – Kelowna, BC – Local resident Michelle Webber put on her third Spin-A-Thon Fundraiser, taking part in all five spin classes in one day at her favourite spin studio, raising $16,850 for Easter Seals.  

“I came up with the idea back in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. When we couldn’t get together to celebrate birthdays, I decided to turn it in to something good and raise money for a cause that is so close to my heart,” says Webber. 

Raised with a sister with disabilities, Michelle knows firsthand the amazing impact that Easter Seals camps and services have, not only for a person with disabilities, but for their family as well.  

“Every year, my younger sister would look forward to her week-long trip to Easter Seals Summer Camp. This was a place and a time where she would grow exponentially in areas like independence, confidence and social intelligence, among others,” adds Webber. “She had an amazing time and loved every moment of her time away.” 

As an avid fitness and spin enthusiast, Michelle decided that she would ride all classes offered by PACE Spin Studio in one day and turn it into a fundraiser for Easter Seals. This year, the fundraiser grew in to a larger community event with her friends and community joining in. 

Among the spinners were local Virgin Radio hosts, B Mack and Karly, who were excited to break a sweat in aid of such a deserving local cause. And, TWP Fitness joined in the event, donating a day’s profits from their food and beverage bar.  

“Over 25,000 people use Easter Seals programming and services each year, and we’re dependent on fundraisers and donations from the community to keep them going,” says Webber.  

In the spirit of the season, she’s asking the community to consider a donation to Easter Seals and make this special time of year a little more merry and bright for families.  

Donations can be made at www.eastersealsbcy.ca.  

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One hundred and twenty golfers participated in 18 holes of golf at Black Mountain Golf Club, raising money for Easter Seals

Kelowna, B.C. (August 23, 2022): Easter Seals hosted its second annual Clubs for Campers Charity Golf Tournament this summer at Black Mountain Golf Club, raising $25,000 to benefit local families that access Easter Seals services.

Clouds and an unexpected tropical downpour didn’t dampen the spirits of golfers, volunteers and sponsors from having a great time and making the event a success. Presenting sponsor Century 21 Assurance Realty Realtors® came out in full force to support the event, along with 12-hole sponsors who set up fun activities around the course. Golfers were also greeted with live music by Libby Alyce, and enjoyed a welcome drink from Truck 59 Cider & Shore Line Brewing, poured by the amazing Tap Truck Okanagan.

“Our Century 21 Assurance Realty Realtors®, in Kelowna, were proud to be the presenting sponsor once again for the Easter Seals Clubs for Campers Golf Tournament,” said Anna Carbone, from Century 21 Assurance Realty Realtors®. “Community support is part of our culture. It is something we value greatly, so to see so many of our Realtors® volunteer their time and get behind this charity event in such a significant way, was incredible. We recognize the important work and support that Easter Seals provides families in our communities, and are thrilled to be able to support such a great cause.”

Funds raised go to Easter Seals Camp Winfield in Lake Country, a specialized week-long summer camp location for children, youth and adults with disabilities and their families who call Kelowna and the Southern Okanagan their home; as well as, to Easter Seals House which provides an affordable home-away-from-home for Kelowna residents facing unimaginable health challenges and need to travel to Vancouver for medical treatments.

“After a successful first year for Clubs for Campers in 2021, we really wanted to see growth for this event to know that we could make an impact year after year, and we were thrilled with the results. Not only did we raise more, but we saw some amazing return participants and sponsors, including our ever-supportive presenting sponsor, Century 21 Assurance Realty,” said Easter Seals Community Engagement Manager Michelle Webber.

“The excitement and enthusiasm of everyone involved in the tournament, despite the torrential rain, really showed us that we are an organization that people and businesses believe in. We want to say thank you to all those who came out and supported Easter Seals. It was a great day and we’re already looking ahead to hosting our third tournament next July.”

If you can’t wait until next summer, you can take part in Easter Seals’ next big fundraiser – Drop Zone – happening September 20, 2022. Take part and be one of over 50 people who will rappel 23 storeys down the Landmark 6 Office Tower in the Landmark District of Kelowna. Last year’s event sold out, so register for a spot soon at www.dropzonebcy.ca.

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About Easter Seals BC/Yukon and BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities
Easter Seals BC/Yukon is one of British Columbia’s legacy charities and is operated by the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities (Society) to help individuals with diverse abilities. Since 1947, the Society has provided programs and services to families and persons with diverse abilities that help improve their quality of life. Over 75 years, the Society has helped over 1,000,000 families in need through transportation services, child health research, Easter Seals summer camps, Easter Seals House, post-secondary bursaries at seven regional colleges or universities, community access services, and patient care programs.

Media contact:
Jennifer Vasarhely
Marketing & Communications Manager
Easter Seals BC/Yukon
E: jvasarhely@eastersealsbcy.ca
P: 604.551-8809

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Calling All Easter Seals Alumni

Calling all Easter Seals Alumni! Whether a camper, a house guest, donor, volunteer, staff or family member we want to hear your story.

If Easter Seals has made an impact in your life we want to share your story for our 75th birthday. As an organization that’s been around for 75 years we know there are so many stories out there we haven’t even heard. Our goal this year is to collect as many of these stories as we can to share with future generations of Easter Seals family.

If you have a funny story or a great memory no matter how big or small please

reach out to jfines@eastersealsbcy.ca