Charity and Donations

People are rallying behind the Drombolis family of North Langley. Dad Shane has been battling a rare form of cancer and mom Kristine was recently diagnosed with the very same condition. (GoFundMe)

Community rallies to help B.C. couple battling rare form of cancer

GoFundMe launched after wife was diagnosed with the same rare cancer husband is fighting

 

(Courtesy photo)

Okanagan charity in desperate need for donations as demand goes up

All Are Family Outreach has requested fruit, milk, pasta sauce and pet food

  • May 10, 2022

 

The Vernon Community Dental Access Centre is among 21 not-for-profit dental clinics receiving government funding to continue helping low-income residents with dental needs. (Morning Star - file photo)

Vernon community dental clinic gets government support

Total of 21 not-for-profit dental clinics in B.C to receive $2.8 million in funding

 

The Kalamlalka Starfish Society is celebrating its sixth year of helping feed Greater Vernon school kids. (Contributed)

Vernon backpack program celebrates six years

The Kalamalka Starfish Society’s backpack program feeds school children in Greater Vernon

The Kalamlalka Starfish Society is celebrating its sixth year of helping feed Greater Vernon school kids. (Contributed)
The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre is among a number of North Okanagan-Shuswap organizations given provincial grant funding to help with the arts in B.C. (Contributed)

North Okanagan-Shuswap arts groups benefit from B.C. cash

Government supports artists and groups in the province with grant funds

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre is among a number of North Okanagan-Shuswap organizations given provincial grant funding to help with the arts in B.C. (Contributed)
To continue supporting youth across BC, 11 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are coming together to host The Big BC Lotto. Buy your tickets now for a chance to win half the jackpot in a classic 50/50 draw!

Lotto for a cause: Half for you, half for ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ across BC!

The Big BC Lotto helps connect youth with caring mentors across the province

  • Apr 11, 2022
To continue supporting youth across BC, 11 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are coming together to host The Big BC Lotto. Buy your tickets now for a chance to win half the jackpot in a classic 50/50 draw!
Lily Bowers with her Ukraine flag-style quilt, made to help raise funds to support those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Sparwood woman raises over $2K for Ukraine with special handmade blanket

Lily Bowers donated $2,210 raised through ticket sales to the Red Cross

Lily Bowers with her Ukraine flag-style quilt, made to help raise funds to support those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)

Canada-Ukraine exchange students return to B.C. town to help and to remember

2008-09 Canada World Youth students spent three months in Ukraine and three months in Alberni

Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)
Sarah Beairsto (left), seven-year-old Harper Harvey and Debra Legge with boxes of Girl Guides cookies outside a warehouse in North Delta on Saturday, March 12. (Photo: Tom Zillich)

Girl Guides back to door-to-door cookie sales after 2 years of doing business differently

Chocolate/vanilla cookies sold in spring, and those who love the mint ones have to wait until fall

Sarah Beairsto (left), seven-year-old Harper Harvey and Debra Legge with boxes of Girl Guides cookies outside a warehouse in North Delta on Saturday, March 12. (Photo: Tom Zillich)
Lily Bowers of Sparwood is creating a quilt made with Ukrainian flag colours to help raise funds to support refugees. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Sparwood local creates quilt for Ukraine

Any funds raised from the quilt’s sale will go towards helping refugees escaping the war in Ukraine

Lily Bowers of Sparwood is creating a quilt made with Ukrainian flag colours to help raise funds to support refugees. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
The Community Foundation North Okanagan has launched its annual spring grants program, inviting all local charitable organizations to apply until March 31, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Grant funding up for grabs for North Okanagan charities

Community Foundations North Okanagan is accepting grant applications until March 31

The Community Foundation North Okanagan has launched its annual spring grants program, inviting all local charitable organizations to apply until March 31, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Introducing the newly elected executive for Vernon Elks Lodge #45 (from left): Dave Hoyte (treasurer); Cindy Nadeau Palozzo (membership director); Phil Southward (second vice-president); Ruth Hoyte (first vice-president); Lorna Robb (president); Dan Irvine (secretary); Terry Black (third vice-president); and past-president Bill McDonald. (Richelle Kendall Photography)

Vernon Elks Lodge installs new executive

New group holding fundraiser for Mission Coldest Night of the Year with burger and beer Friday, Feb. 25

Introducing the newly elected executive for Vernon Elks Lodge #45 (from left): Dave Hoyte (treasurer); Cindy Nadeau Palozzo (membership director); Phil Southward (second vice-president); Ruth Hoyte (first vice-president); Lorna Robb (president); Dan Irvine (secretary); Terry Black (third vice-president); and past-president Bill McDonald. (Richelle Kendall Photography)
Applications are now being taken until March 1 for capital project funds from the Co-op Community Spaces Program. (Communityspaces.ca)

Capital project funds available for North Okanagan-Shuswap projects

Co-op Community Spaces Program dedicating $1 million to help bring Western Canada communities together

Applications are now being taken until March 1 for capital project funds from the Co-op Community Spaces Program. (Communityspaces.ca)
North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society executive director Dean Francks (left) accepts a cheque for nearly $9,800 from Vernon Home Depot employee Marilin Comley and store manager Paul Gislason. The money was raised over the Christmas holidays through Home Depot’s Orange Door Project. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

North Okanagan youth organization opens door to donation

NOYFSS receives nearly $9,800 from Home Depot’s Orange Door Project

North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society executive director Dean Francks (left) accepts a cheque for nearly $9,800 from Vernon Home Depot employee Marilin Comley and store manager Paul Gislason. The money was raised over the Christmas holidays through Home Depot’s Orange Door Project. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Air Rescue One Heli-Winch Society, founded by Vernon Search and Rescue, needs a new winch and SilverStar Mountain Resort is trying to help them get it. A $20 portion of lift ticket sales will be donated to the Star’s Play Forever Fund Monday, Feb. 21 – Family Day – and donations will be matched up to $10,000, all in support of the society. (Facebook photo)

Vernon’s SilverStar Mountain lifts heli-winch society spirits

Portion of lift ticket sales Family Day Monday go toward helping Air Rescue One get new helicopter winch

Air Rescue One Heli-Winch Society, founded by Vernon Search and Rescue, needs a new winch and SilverStar Mountain Resort is trying to help them get it. A $20 portion of lift ticket sales will be donated to the Star’s Play Forever Fund Monday, Feb. 21 – Family Day – and donations will be matched up to $10,000, all in support of the society. (Facebook photo)
Matt, Jody, Lucy and Lilly Gallant (alongside Izzy) have received help for Lucy’s disabilities from Variety BC. Lucy’s story will be shared as part of Variety’s annual telethon broadcast on Global TV. (Submitted Photo)

Quesnel kindergartener ‘poster-girl’ for Variety telethon

Lucy Gallant, along with her twin sister Lilly, have been filming commercials for the telethon

Matt, Jody, Lucy and Lilly Gallant (alongside Izzy) have received help for Lucy’s disabilities from Variety BC. Lucy’s story will be shared as part of Variety’s annual telethon broadcast on Global TV. (Submitted Photo)
Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical owner Ted Fox announces the North Okanagan Community Chaplaincy as the winner of the company’s Wrap a Van for a Cause contest. (Kara Cassidy photo)

Vernon van brand contest goes to chaplaincy

North Okanagan Community Chaplaincy voted winner of first Fox Plumbing Wrap a Van for a Cause contest

Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical owner Ted Fox announces the North Okanagan Community Chaplaincy as the winner of the company’s Wrap a Van for a Cause contest. (Kara Cassidy photo)
The Morning Star is making a donation to the local Cinderella Project, which provides formal clothing and accessories to underprivileged teenagers so they can attend their graduation ceremony or prom with their peers. The money was collected from the sale of roll ends at the Morning Star’s front desk. (Facebook photo)

Vernon Morning Star rolls out grad donation

Sales of newspaper roll ends donated to Cinderella Project for underprivileged teens

The Morning Star is making a donation to the local Cinderella Project, which provides formal clothing and accessories to underprivileged teenagers so they can attend their graduation ceremony or prom with their peers. The money was collected from the sale of roll ends at the Morning Star’s front desk. (Facebook photo)
Choices Lottery spokesperson Erin Cebula, in the living room of one of this year’s Grand Prize homes, in South Surrey.

City, sea, or suburbs? The choice could be yours!

All tickets purchased for the 2022 Choices Lottery support BC Children’s Hospital…

  • Feb 7, 2022
Choices Lottery spokesperson Erin Cebula, in the living room of one of this year’s Grand Prize homes, in South Surrey.
The Jingle Bell Build fundraiser raised $25,000 thanks to help from the community, RE/MAX and local businesses (Habitat for Humanity)

Habitat for Humanity raises funds to build 12 affordable homes in Lake Country

The charity’s Jingle Bell Build fundraiser raised $25,000 to build safe, affordable homes

The Jingle Bell Build fundraiser raised $25,000 thanks to help from the community, RE/MAX and local businesses (Habitat for Humanity)