Hundreds of Kelowna General Hospital staff enjoyed a BBQ lunch hosted by the KGH Foundation on June 1, with all proceeds to support the Day of Giving.
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June 16, 2017 - 3:04 PM
KELOWNA - Thursday, June 1, 2017 was a day that saw everyone from preschoolers to seniors break open their piggy banks, dig between the cushions of the sofa and empty their change purses to support world-class care for kids struggling with mental illness.
After all the pennies were counted, over $42,500 was raised on the first ever KGH Foundation Day of Giving.
The funds have been dedicated to the Not Alone campaign to open Foundry Kelowna, an integrated care facility for youth and families struggling to navigate mental health and substance issues.
Kelowna has been selected as one of five sites in British Columbia for the clinic, which promises to serve youth age 12 – 24. The KGH Foundation and CMHA – Kelowna joined forces in launching the Not Alone campaign to raise the $2million needed to open Foundry Kelowna.
Last year in Kelowna, more than 1,200 youth arrived at Kelowna General Hospital’s Emergency Department in crisis, citing mental health or substance issues as the primary cause. The provincial statistics reveal that one in five youth in BC need mental health or substance use services, and less than 25% are getting the help they need.
The Not Alone campaign for Foundry Kelowna has been enthusiastically embraced by the community, from psychiatrists, therapists and counsellors to elementary and high school students, friends, and family of children who have suffered with mental illness.
“The KGH Foundation Day of Giving was inspired by the idea that by working together, real change can be made possible in our community,” says Doug Rankmore, CEO of the KGH Foundation. “It is an honor to recognize all the people who just gave what they could, whether it’s spare change or thousands of dollars.”
“So many people have been touched by this cause,” said Melissa Feddersen, Project Lead for Foundry Kelowna. “The Day of Giving allowed all those who gave the opportunity to be part of the solution. I am so proud of this community for caring so deeply about our young people.”
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