FYI - For Your Information

<p>KELOWNA, BC – Every year, thousands of families from across the southern interior of British Columbia must travel to Kelowna General Hospital in order for a loved one to receive advanced medical treatment.  Now, thanks to the generosity of the owners and staff at Kelowna Toyota, the KGH Foundation’s Better Together campaign to build JoeAnna’s House, a home away from home for these families, is $30,000 closer to reaching its goal.</p><p>“When we asked our staff what community project they would want to get behind, the response to support JoeAnna’s House was completely unanimous,” says Jamie Kaban, General Manger at Kelowna Toyota. “Keeping families together when they need it the most aligns perfecting with our desire to support projects that will positively impact the entire community.”</p><p>JoeAnna’s House, named in honor of Josef and Anna Huber, the late founders of family-owned and operated Prestige Hotels & Resorts, will eventually stand on the KGH site at the corner of Royal Avenue and Abbott Street.  The home will offer approximately 20 rooms, a shared kitchen and home-like amenities to family members wishing to stay close to their loved ones, while they receive treatment at KGH.  Priority will be given to the families of infants and children.</p><p>“When a child is sick, the added hardship of leaving home to travel for care can be completely overwhelming,” says Laura White, a social worker at KGH. “Having JoeAnna’s House will significantly reduce the emotional and financial burden on these families.”</p><p><br />This past October, the KGH Foundation launched the Better Together campaign to raise the $8 million to build JoeAnna’s House. The project is scheduled to break ground in the fall of 2018 and open its doors in late 2019.</p><p>“Kelowna Toyota invests thousands of dollars back into the community every year,” says Mischa Mueller, Senior Development Officer at the KGH Foundation.  “We are grateful to Jamie and his team for providing early leadership in helping us build JoeAnna’s House.”</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The KGH Foundation is an independent, volunteer-driven charitable organization committed to enhancing the delivery of healthcare to the patients of Kelowna General Hospital and its associated facilities.</strong></p><hr style="width: 100%" /><p>FYI contains information submitted from the public and is displayed exactly as it was received. Information is clearly attributed in bylines and not created by iNFOnews.ca staff. For more information, please contact the referring organization. If you have questions about FYI, or would like to submit information to FYI, please send directly to <a href="mailto:fyi@infonews.ca"> fyi@infonews.ca.</a></p>

VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the nomination period for the Annual Business Excellence Awards is now open.  Nominations can be submitted through the Chamber`s website at www.vernonchamber.ca until Friday January 6, 2017.

The Tourism Kelowna Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on December 6, 2016, at the Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport Hotel. Approximately 100 industry stakeholders, business community members, staff, and volunteers were in attendance.

VERNON - The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society proudly presents Royal Wood on Wednesday, September 21st at 7:30pm at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Royal Wood is the first performance in the Society’s 2016/2017 season.

Known for his classic cabaret pop style of music, Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood brings class, charm and a gentleman’s demeanor to the stage.

VERNON - It was an evening of laughter, tears and celebration to recognize eleven outstanding women.

Okanagan College’s inaugural Shuswap Bookfest is bringing two internationally renowned writers to Salmon Arm - Eleanor Wachtel, host of CBC Radio’s Writers & Company, on Oct. 1, and Elizabeth Hay, winner of the Giller Prize for her novel Late Nights on Air, on Oct. 2.

Both presentations take place at the Salmar Classic Theatre and begin at 7 p.m.

KELOWNA - On Saturday, September 19, the Y is hosting its 9th annual Cycle for Strong Kids event outside H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre, featuring a stationary cycling class, kids zone, silent auction, prizes and food including tasty treats from Milestones and smoothies from Jugo Juice.

SALMON ARM - The public is invited to attend a drop-in information session on Wednesday, June 24 about proposed Highway 1 improvements in Salmon Arm.