Over $22,000 raised for the South Okanagan region!
Donations will bring hope to local children and youth
It was so much more than just a Drive-Thru Breakfast! It was a morning of fun, music, and generous hearts rallying together to help the community.
The 12th Annual South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast, hosted by the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre, raised over $22,000 on Thursday, April 11th! Thank you to the generosity of local businesses, unions, and all the fantastic community members who showed up, donated, volunteered, and supported this beautiful event. We are grateful to each and every one of you!
Our incredible partners and volunteers welcomed hundreds of cars lined up to donate and receive their breakfast bags, filled with goodies and coupons, and a delicious hot breakfast sandwich and hashbrowns, courtesy of the Penticton Lakeside Resort, coffee and Timbits from Tim Hortons, and various gifts offered by our generous local sponsors. Some lucky donors also got to take home hidden prizes, like travel vouchers, resort stays, gift cards, and much more!
It’s all about partnership
The unwavering commitment of a wonderful group of sponsors made the event a great success! Thanks to them, the community had the opportunity to come out in support of those most in need across the region.
We can’t thank the Penticton Lakeside Resort enough for helping to make this event a reality year after year. As host partners, they go far beyond just providing a spectacular location and delicious complimentary hot breakfast. They also invest the time and talent of their fantastic staff in helping plan from start to finish and engage with the community. We are honoured to work with such an amazing partner – thank you!
We are also privileged to have the ongoing support of local media. Castanet, Move 97.1, Bounce Radio, Global Okanagan, and the Penticton Herald – all long-time sponsors of the event – once again helped drive our fundraising success by pre-promoting the event. Many were on-site to welcome our guests, including Move 97.1’s Allan Gee, who broadcasted live all morning.
We’d also like to thank the businesses and unions that stepped up to sponsor this year’s event: long-time sponsors Cascades Casino, whose significant on-site staff presence brought high energy that lifted the spirits of all those attending so early in the morning; Nature’s Fare Markets, whose staff added to the breakfast menu by providing samples of Berri Fresh cold press juice to our Drive-Thru guests; the Hospital Employees’ Union- Penticton and the South Okanagan Boundary Labour Council, who together helped stuff breakfast bags the day before, then returned early the next morning to hand out goodies on-site. We’d also like to thank first-time sponsor Pythe Navis MDP, who helped welcome guests on-site, and returning past sponsor Penticton Speedway.
Our sponsor’s early commitment and generous contributions made it possible for us to bring the Drive-Thru experience to life. All of us at United Way BC are incredibly grateful for your inspiring demonstration of community love!
For brighter futures
All money raised on the Drive-Thru will help fund United Way BC initiatives in the South Okanagan region, including many that focus on children and youth. These initiatives support early childhood development, youth leadership, and out-of-school time activities, like School’s Out. This program ensures vulnerable school-aged children have access to safe spaces where they can get mental wellness and developmental support during after-school hours.
Anna*, a 12-year-old School’s Out participant from Trail, is happy to share how the program has been helpful to her. “Before coming here, I was always glued to my phone. Without United Way BC School’s Out, my days would be filled with a lot of technology and much fewer friends. Here I can be more social, eat a healthy meal every night, and also help my family. After all, it’s a free program,” she says.
By supporting this year’s Drive-Thru Breakfast, donors are also helping Future Leaders participants from Summerland. Future Leaders is another United Way BC initiative that empowers young people ages 15-30 for the jobs of tomorrow. It provides practical work experience and the skills necessary for future employment through paid or volunteer internships.
When supporting this year’s event, donors contributed to ensuring kids and youth, from Summerland and Penticton to Princeton and Osoyoos, have the life they need and deserve – building stronger, healthier communities.
Thank you so much, South Okanagan! See you again next year!
*Name is fictitious to protect the kid’s identity.
