As the Christmas lights are put away for another year, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) is reveling in the success of its annual holiday fundraiser.
Their 2023 Light a Bulb campaign raised $608,000, thanks to the generosity of the North Okanagan.
“The community support has just been phenomenal,” said VJH Foundation president and Light a Bulb campaign chair, Michael Kinghorn. “This year’s campaign was focused on securing faster access to diagnostics through the purchase of a state‐of‐the‐art X‐ray machine. Thanks to our community and very generous donors, we’re able to bring urgently needed equipment to VJH, which will make a lasting difference to people that need it the most.”
Each year, Light a Bulb helps to support initiatives that are of the greatest need for the hospital. Not only will the campaign fund the new X-ray machine, it will also fund the renovation of the space where it will be housed.
VJH’s Imaging Department is one of the busiest in the Interior, performing more than 45,000 X‐rays annually.
Despite working seven days a week, wait times can still be up to four weeks.
“By expanding our medical imaging capacity, we are ensuring that more people have access to the best standard of care,” said Dr. Adam Weathermon, former department head of Imaging at VJH. “A new X‐ray machine and enhanced space means better, faster care for thousands more people in our region each year.”
A large swath of the $608,000 came from GivingTuesday, where Grizzly Curb and Concrete and Linda and Gord Ball combined to provide $50,000, which kick-started a wave of giving that continued through the end of the campaign.
“It’s been truly remarkable watching over the past eight weeks how our community has come together and rallied to support healthcare,” said Kinghorn. “I often say that every gift, no matter the amount, makes a difference and donations from community groups, local companies and individuals made this year’s Light a Bulb one of our most successful fundraisers ever.”
The Desert Cove Homeowners Association has been a longstanding supporter of Light a Bulb, donating more than $35,000 over the years.
Jim Horsford was a beloved member of the Desert Cove community and a driving force behind the Association’s fundraising efforts, earning him the much deserved title of Lead Elf.
To the great sadness of the Desert Cove community, and the VJH Foundation, Horsford died in late December, just days after he joined to celebrate the Association’s 2023 Light a Bulb donation.
The VJH Foundation honour his memory and his spirit of community support, and thank everyone who has worked hard to give back to the community.
READ MORE: Vernon hospital foundation charity golf to tee up in September
READ MORE: Babies benefit from $10K Vernon hospital donation