Local Donations

The proceeds of Kalamalka Rotary’s Annual Dream Auction in November allow the club to support community based and international projects.

Local projects are normally in one of four areas of focus:

Parks and Recreation
Arts and Science
Education
Healthcare

Projects need to be capital in nature, have a broad community impact and a defined start and finish. The applicant must demonstrate sustained organizational capacity and financial accountability.

Since 1985, the Kal Rotary Dream Auction has raised over $ 4,440,000 which has been directed to youth program and to worthy local and international projects and programs.

The Local Donations Committee of Kal Rotary accepts applications for Local Donations until December 31 of each year. The Committee then reviews the applications and selects those that meet the criteria and makes recommendations to the Executive and membership, as appropriate, for their endorsement. Normally, the Committee receives requests that total up to six times the funds allocated; so not all requests can be accommodated.

2020 Donations

See full donation list

Year	Area of Focus	Local Donation Recipient	Description
2020	Community Health
		Schubert Centre	New furnace for Senior’s Centre
		Archway Society for Domestic Peace	Child-centered family therapy room upgrade
		Brain Trust Canada	Laptop and desktop computers
		Halina Centre (Vernon Senior Citizens Recreation Society)	Recumbent cross-trainer exercise equipment
		Vernon Restholm Association	BX Creek bank restoration
		VDACL (Venture Training)	Wheelchair accessible van

	Environment and Parks
		Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society	Discovery Room HVAC and Boiler upgrade
		North Okanagan Cycling Society	New 3.6 km mountain biking trail in Kalamalka Provincial Park

	Athletics and Recreation
		CRIS Community Recreational Initiatives Society	Used cargo van for transport of accessibility equipment
		Lavington Community Association	Building/roof for Jeffers Park Skating Rink
		Vernon Ski Club	Ski Club cabin upgrade
		Vernon Search and Rescue Society	Winter Personal Protective Equipment for 80 volunteer members
		Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boating Club	Dock expansion project to accommodate club growth and regattas

	Arts and Culture	O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society	‘The Mansion’ porch restoration
		Vernon Community Music School	Smith House (Music School) restoration

2019 Donations

See full donation list

Year	Area of Focus	Local Donation Recipient	Description
2019	Community Health
		Vernon Jubilee Hospital	Surgical Care for Life Program – lighting for new operating room
		Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon	Kitchen Upgrade
		Kindale Society	Stairway lift for residents
		Community Dental Access Center	New Compressor for dental equipment
		JoeAnna’s House	Regional accommodation for families at Kelowna General Hospital
		North Okanagan Youth and Family Services	Outdoor Landscaping at building expansion
		Haven Place	Building improvements

	Environment and Parks
		Allan Brooks Nature Centre	Building’s interior and exterior upgrades
		Abbeyfield Houses of Vernon	BX Creek bank stabilization
		Maven Lane Daycare	Outdoor playground equipment
Year	Area of Focus	Local Donation Recipient	Description
2019
	Athletics and Recreation
		Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports	Purchase of several new pieces of ski equipment for skiers with disabilities
		North Okanagan Optimists Club	Sponsorship of Unplug and Play Week
		North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association	Utility Terrain Vehicle (side-by-side) to assist with daily ranch chores
		1^st Coldstream Scouts	Attendance at Provincial Jamboree

These donations positively affect our community:

"We’re very grateful for the generous support of Kal Rotary," Allan Brooks Nature Centre board chair Jim Popowich said in the release. "The current donation will allow us to provide an improved experience for our visitors and will greatly help extend the life of the facility."

A generous gift of $25,000 from the Kalamalka Rotary Dream Auction turned kitchen nightmares into a commercial-grade dream kitchen for the Canadian Mental Health Association. “We are grateful to Kal Rotary and the volunteers and businesses for their overwhelming support in elevating this project from a kitchen renovation to an inspiring community collaboration,” said Payson.

“I feel proud and humbled by the impact the Dream Auction has on so many members of our community,” said 2019-2020 Kal Rotary president Dr. Carmen Larsen. “The impact could be measured in many ways: the numbers of dollars raised, the numbers of organizations funded, the number of local and international individuals whose lives are a little bit better tomorrow than they are today.”

Follow us on Social Media

Application Forms

Vernon Jubilee Hospital

Kalamalka Rotary has donated $30,000 to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation bringing total Kal Rotary donations to the Hospital Foundation over the past 23 years to more than $225,000. Over $175,000 of that amount was directed to Women’s and Children’s Health Services.

Photo Caption: Kate McBrearty VJH Foundation Executive Director with Local Donations Chair Mike Nolan and Kal Rotary President Dr. Carmen Larsen

“We recognize that by providing state-of-the-art equipment to Vernon Jubilee, we are helping a large sector of the population who require surgery,” said Mike Nolan, Chair of the Kal Rotary Local Donations Committee. “This donation was made possible through the generosity of individuals, businesses and Rotarians who donate goods and services each year to the Kal Rotary Dream Auction and by guests who bid on these items,” continued Nolan.

SUPPORTING THOSE WHO REQUIRE SURGERY

Kal Rotary helped to fund a state-of-the-art surgical lighting system in the fifth operating room in Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s Polson Tower as part of the Foundation’s Operation: Surgical Care for Life Campaign.

Schubert Centre

Kalamalka Rotary was the first to step-up and support the Schubert Centre Furnace Fundraiser by donating $9,800 from the proceeds of the 2019 Kalamalka Rotary Dream Auction.

“I am so grateful to the Kal Rotary for this very generous and much appreciated donation,” said manager Shirley Higgins.

“We recognize that Schubert Centre provides a valuable social hub for many groups and individuals within the community and Kalamalka Rotary has a great partnership with the Centre. There was no hesitation when they reached out for urgent assistance with the furnace replacement,” says Mike Nolan, Chair of the Local Donations Committee for Kal Rotary.

SUPPORTING SENIORS

Kal Rotary provided funds to Schubert Centre to replace an aging furnace in the building. With community support, this facility will continue to provide valuable activities and programs that enhance local seniors’ quality of life.

Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon

“We also offer a nutrition education component, volunteer cooking and support roles, employment training, food safe classes, and a huge community-building social component. Our kitchen is truly the heart of CMHA programming, bringing people together for healthy food and social interaction,” said Payson.

UPGRADED KITCHEN MEANS HELPING MORE PEOPLE

Kal Rotary provided funds and labour to upgrade the CMHA kitchen to a commercial standard. This allows CMHA to more easily provide and deliver affordable, nutritious meals to people living with a mental illness for 6 days each week. Last year, more than 9,000 meals were prepared.

Kindale Society

Kindale Developmental Association is a non-profit society which supports more than 200 children, youth and adults of all ages who have developmental and other disabilities. Kindale serves the Greater Vernon and North Okanagan/Columbia-Shuswap regions of BC.

STAIRWAY LIFT

Kalamalka Rotary provided funds to replace the stairway lift at Kindale’s Middleton House in Coldstream so that residents, family, friends and community members can safely and comfortably access both levels of the home.

Community Dental Access Centre

The Community Dental Access Centre (CDAC) is a reduced-cost non-profit charity dental centre located in Vernon, British Columbia.

ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE

Kal Rotary provided funds to purchase a new compressor which is an invaluable tool in dental offices. The Community Dental Access Centre provides dental services to low-income residents in the North Okanagan.

JoeAnna’s House

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Kal Rotary, along with other Okanagan Rotary Clubs, provided over $ 210,000 to support the construction of JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna. The house will provide accommodation for families in the region whose loved ones are receiving specialist care at Kelowna General Hospital.

North Okanagan Youth and Family Services

NOYFSS is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to serve our community by providing a broad range of programs which promote, nurture, and protect the healthy development of our children, youth and their families.

Dean Francks, Executive Director, NOYFS with Kal Rotarian Brian Reid

“A huge shout out and thank you to Kalamalka Rotary for their very generous donation of $5000 towards our Group Space Education Room project!” says Dean Francks, Executive Director for NOYFS.

MORE FACILITIES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES

Kal Rotary provided funds towards the Group Space Education Room as part of NOYFS upgrades.

Allan Brooks Nature Centre

“We’re very grateful for the generous support of Kal Rotary,” Allan Brooks Nature Centre board chair Jim Popowich said in the release. “The current donation will allow us to provide an improved experience for our visitors and will greatly help extend the life of the facility.”

SECURING THE FUTURE AT ALLAN BROOKS

Kal Rotary provided funds to undertake major building upgrades and maintenance which will ensure the centre can operate well into the future.

Abbeyfield House Vernon

“We are so grateful for this financial support for our BX Creek Bank Stabilization project. It helps our small non-profit seniors residence complete what will be a very costly project to protect our residence,” said Nicole Kohnert, past President and Project Manager.

ABBEYFIELD HOUSE BANK STABILIZATION

Kal Rotary provided funds to stabilize the creek banks near Abbeyfield House and thus reduce the risk of damage from flooding.

Maven Lane Daycare

“Thank you to the Kalamalka Rotary Club (Vernon) for their support with our playground improvements! With over 250 children attending daily, we need a lot of playgrounds, and they are in constant need of repair. We really appreciate the support!” Hollie Henderson, Executive Director.

Rotarian Brian Reid (centre) with Hollie Henderson (on right)

BUILDING A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND

Kal Rotary provided funds to improve the playground for the 250 children who attend Maven Lane each day.

Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Kal Rotary provided funds to purchase three new pieces of equipment for Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports Society so that persons with physical disabilities are able to learn and experience skiing or boarding.

“We are very appreciative that Kalamalka Rotary was able to help Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports (SSASS) modernize its equipment for persons with physical disabilities to learn and experience skiing or boarding. With your help we have been able to expand the range of persons we can assist with equipment that is more comfortable, easier to use, and safer for both students and instructors,” says Dan Cook, President, SSASS.

North Okanagan Optimists Club

UNPLUG AND PLAY

Kal Rotary provided funds to the Optimist’s Club to expand their sponsorship of Unplug and Play Week.

North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association (NOTRA)

Photo (L to R): Dani Goldenthal (NOTRA Board member), Derek Krivak (rider), Gloria Lange (volunteer) and Dave DeShane, Kal Rotarian.

RIDING THERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Kal Rotary provided funds to purchase a UTV for farm chores and support the goal of the NO Therapeutic Riding Association to provide recreational horseback riding therapy for children and adults with special needs.