Okanagan Dream Rally cars going across bridge

Image Credit: Okanagan Dream Rally

On July 27, something extraordinary will be winding its way through Kelowna. It's long, loud and filled with children grinning ear-to-ear. Back after a year hiatus, the thrilling luxury car rally, the Okanagan Dream Rally fundraiser for charity, is heading to Kelowna, BC.

The goal of the Okanagan Dream Rally is to provide special children with an incredible experience: being the co-pilot to drive in a luxurious car from Kelowna to Peachland and back. The event has raised millions of dollars for Ronald McDonald House and the Kelowna General Hospital. That is pretty fantastic, too. From the kids’ point of view, though, the Dream Rally means one thing: sitting in the co-pilot seat of a super rare car.

We adults understand how vital charities like Ronald McDonald House are, and how essential it is to support the Kelowna General Hospital. After all, that was the motivation behind the Dream Rally. Matt August of August Luxury Cars and August Mazda is the man with this vision. When Matt decided to do something big to help generate much-needed revenue for Ronald McDonald house, his vision was two-fold: Fundraising for kids, and getting the kids involved in something fun - life-changing, even. What better way to do that than give kids a chance to co-pilot a luxury dream car for a rally?

Okanagan Dream Rally at starting line

Image Credit: Okanagan Dream Rally

Matt August sums up his mission: “Life gives you a hundred reasons to cry. Let’s show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. We are only on the Earth for a short time, help give a thousand smiles to a child who needs it.” The donations that the Dream Rally raises are essential, but there is also a way to raise those funds and get kids smiling simultaneously, Matt figured. He was right. The Okanagan Dream Rally has raised $3,343,000 to date and counting. And the smiles? Countless.

Getting Kids to Care

When you support the Okanagan Dream Rally, whether you are a driver or on the road watching the cars drive by on July 27, you will be helping reach the goal: Get kids who need help to the care they need, and provide a safe place for their families who support them. The Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Kelowna General Hospital are perfectly matched for this. Donations allow Ronald McDonald House to work with Kelowna General Hospital for the full care package for kids and their families: transport, housing when needed, and of course medical help.

The statistics are impressive. In a single year, the Ronald McDonald House (RMH-BC) housed as many as 290 families from the BC interior who needed services only available in the bigger cities. Children and their families staying together, the really important part. It is worrying enough when your child needs special care; trying to figure out how you can be with them shouldn’t have to be part of that equation. There are dozens of testimonials posted on the RMH-BC site that all revert back to the same message: Having assistance to get your child to care and stay with them was life-altering.

Okanagan Dream Rally Ronald McDonald House

Image Credit: Okanagan Dream Rally

How you can Donate

If you can donate to this important cause, your help is greatly appreciated. All monetary proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald House BC/Yukon, and to the Kelowna General Hospital in support of JoeAnna’s House. Visit the Okanagan Dream Rally website to see the many ways that you can help, from sponsoring a car, donating to a silent auction, cash donations or volunteering your time.

Back to the Kids: What it means to be Cheered for

The Okanagan Dream Rally website does a great job of showing you what means the most to the kids involved: Being cheered for along the route. Picture it: You are a young kid who could use a smile. You are assigned to your co-pilot seat in an incredible car - attach a permanent kid smile here. But then, what’s this? Thousands of kind-hearted Kelowna residents are there cheering, and they are cheering for YOU? We were all kids once; it’s not hard to picture how fantastic it is for these exceptional young kids to see their community yelling and cheering them on. It might even be better than the exotic car you are riding in! What’s stopping you? Get out there and cheer for your favourite kid!

Start Your Engines! Start line, Finish Line and Key Details

• Date of the rally: Saturday, July 27, 2024.
• The rally kicks off at Water Street by Prospera Place, in downtown Kelowna.
• Up to 250 amazing cars will be taking part. Expect to see exotic sports cars, ultra-rare cars and jaw-dropping muscle cars!
• Visit the Okanagan Dream Rally Website for details on the entire route.

Things to note:

• Entering a car is a great way to donate, and spots may still be available. Your car’s entry gives you a chance to put a huge smile on a deserving face, and also comes with a ticket to the very exclusive after-party.
• Corporate Sponsors are needed; sponsor a vehicle and get your company decal on the side. Fence sponsorship along the route is also an option for corporate donations!

On behalf of the August team, thank you for your support!

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