A tasty weekend in Kelowna during Ribfest in City Park.

(STACY PAVLOV / iNFOnews.ca)

The crowds were bigger, the fundraising was a success and the ribs were some of the best. Kelowna’s Fourth Annual Interior Savings Sunrise Rotary Ribfest August 23 to 25 had all the elements to make it memorable.

“The 2019 RibFest was the best event we have held to date. Our sponsors, the fabulous media and social media coverage really helped to bring out the people of Kelowna, along with decent weather. We had significant growth this year that we credit to our incredible line-up of entertainment, wonderful expanded Family Fun Zone, great food from the Ribbers with the addition of a variety of food trucks, a fabulous new layout and more,” says Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club president Susan McIntyre of the three-day, free admission event.

Total funds raised and further numbers will be announced in the coming weeks as donations are counted and accounting is completed, but there were three cheque presentations made during the Interior Savings Sunrise Rotary RibFest with funds raised from the event.

Pathways Abilities was presented with a cheque for $10,000. The organization will outfit a gently used van for their clients who need wheelchair access to participate in activity services. This program provides opportunities for 90 individuals to develop skills and abilities that promote self-esteem and independence through productive meaningful involvement in recreation, leisure, retirement, volunteerism, employment and skill development. 

Hope for the Nation runs the Food for Thought Program which provides vulnerable children with a backpack containing food to take home for the weekend. This local program was presented with $9,025. Without these funds, children would otherwise go hungry. Recipients are given recipe templates to help them make food items they have chosen and to establish healthy eating choices.

Finally, Kelowna Sunrise Rotary was pleased to present $10,000 to JoeAnna’s House. The club has donated $39,280 over the last two years. Rotary Clubs throughout the Okanagan and Interior Health Region have committed to donating $250,000 to JoeAnna’s House.

“Many Rotarians from other clubs came and volunteered and supported Sunrise Rotary to achieve this goal. As Rotarians we work together to make the community a better place,” says Andy Griffin, past president and main contact with KGH Foundation.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor.

News from © iNFOnews, 2019