70th Anniversary year comes to a close
A Message from Kahir March 31, 2021 Dear Friends and Neighbours, Wow, what a year it has been. United Way, as a movement, has always been a champion of community collaboration, and our past year has been no different. The past 12 months has been one of the most challenging ones
Giving Tuesday activities go online or virtual this year
December 1, 2020 - Giving Tuesday Okanagan was incredibly important this year as many charities struggle to adapt to COVID protocols and fundraise in the midst of a pandemic forcing all Giving Tuesday activities either virtual or online. Donations this Giving Tuesday tripled since 2019! Thank you to everyone who donated
Dawson Group donates over $24k with inaugural United Way campaign
Shown above: Jesse Olinyk and Rhonda Bampton of IRL International Truck Centre in Kelowna Dawson Group is the latest local, caring company to create a workplace campaign with their employees and recently notified us that their campaign has reached nearly $25,000 in its first year! Extraordinary!! The Dawson Group is a
Local love in action at United Way 70th Anniversary Stay at Home Gala
Celebrating seven decades of local love together, from home. November 19, 2020 - The community really showed up Thursday night, together but apart, to support the United Way's 70th Anniversary "Stay at Home" Gala presented by Sun Life. The fundraiser was forced to go virtual due to the pandemic but proved
Doris Maria Bregolisse demonstrates local love in action for United Way
Lots of happy donors received treasured family dessert recipes! October 22, 2020 (Kelowna) - A huge thanks to Doris Maria Bregolisse for her unique and tasty fundraiser. The last of the apple strudel was delivered this week to United Way SIBC office and we can happily attest to the incredible taste
RBC continues support for local youth through CODEanagan
Shown above (left to right): Jeremy Lugowy, Corporate Giving Manager/UWBC , Nicole Dalton, Community Manager/RBC, Alex Reid, Community Manager/Accelerate Okanagan, Ray Warren, VP Commercial Banking/RBC, Courtney Hesse, Regional VP/RBC, Helena Jordo, Program Coordinator/Okanagan College and Jude Brunt with UWBC . September 28, 2020 (Kelowna) – RBC Foundation presented a cheque for $40,000
United Way launches 70th Anniversary campaign kickoff with virtual lunch
United Way British Columbia launched the annual fundraising campaign from Coast Capri Hotel with a virtual lunch and AGM. This inspiring lunch featured stories of community impact, partnerships and a whole lot of local love from virtual guests! Global Okanagan News Anchor, Doris Bregolisse, hosted the event for
TD’s Ready Commitment donates to local COVID Relief Fund
The United Way SIBC receives funding to help address the impacts of COVID-19 on the Okanagan regions vulnerable community August 31, 2020 - Within vulnerable communities there is an urgent demand for donations as British Columbia prepares for a second wave of COVID-19. While governments across Canada are focusing on the
Local wineries donate $10,000 to United Way’s COVID Relief Fund
July 29, 2020 - We all know that a glass of great wine has been one of the pleasures we've enjoyed a little more during the pandemic, but when buying local wine also helps our essential community service workers serve more local people in need through United Way's COVID Relief Fund,
Sleeman Breweries Announces $35,000 Donation to COVID-19 Response
Guelph, Ontario. April 15, 2020. Sleeman Breweries, the third largest brewing company nationwide, announced $35,000 in funding to United Ways across Canada today, to assist with COVID-19 community relief efforts across the county. Of the total gift, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin will receive $10,000 to support local agencies assist the
United Way launches COVID-19 recovery and response plan
New relief fund and resources launched to rally support for social & community services sector supporting the most vulnerable people impacted by this crisis. March 24, 2020 — Today, United Way British Columbia along with the Community Foundations of the North, Central and South Okanagan and other community partners, are asking
An update from UWBC re: COVID-19
March 16, 2020 To our valued Community and Media Partners, Volunteers and Donors, Like most organizations, United Way has developed measures to manage operations during the COVID-19 situation. In light of the recent measures taken at the provincial and federal level in regards to COVID-19, we want to reassure you that
Playtime Casino donates to United Way Community Fund
March 3, 2020 (Kelowna) – Today, Playtime Casino donated over $3000 to the 2019/2020 United Way campaign. These vital funds will go into the 2020 community fund allocations supporting over 28 local charities who in turn provide services to over 38,000 people in the Central Okanagan. Playtime is a consistent supporter of
Giving Tuesday celebrated throughout the Okanagan
[Okanagan] [December 4, 2019] – Giving Tuesday civic celebrations were held yesterday as part of the Giving Tuesday Okanagan movement. Local civic leaders, charities, companies and citizens gathered at City Hall in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon to recognize the official kickoff of the giving season and celebrate those that give back.
Chances Kelowna gives back with #UNIGNORABLE campaign
October 2019 (Kelowna) - Chances Kelowna turned the month of October into an #UNIGNORABLE fundraising campaign raising over $3000 for vulnerable people in our community. Led by Marketing Manager, Emily Hubbard, the campaign had multiple elements including over $2000 raised at Funday Fridays Bingo and a slot floor promotion that raised
RBC Future Launch continues support for CODEanagan and local youth
November 6, 2019 (Kelowna) – RBC Foundation continued their support to United Way this year presenting a cheque for $20,000 designated for CODEanagan, a barrier-free tech program for youth. The funding is part of the RBC Future Launch program designed to help youth succeed in the new economy. Led
Celebrity Roast featuring Maxine DeHart brings in over $50k for United Way
Presented... A night of laughter and giving. October 24, 2019 October 30, 2019 – Interior Savings presented the inaugural United Way Celebrity Roast featuring Maxine DeHart last week and it was a great success raising over $52,400! Over 200 guests enjoyed an evening of laughter and giving at the Willowstone Academy
Kelowna Sails lit up #UNIGNORABLE orange for Thanksgiving weekend
October 3, 2019 - The Sails are lit up a new colour this weekend! Orange is a colour of a typical Thanksgiving weekend……but it is also the unique colour of the new #UNIGNORABLE campaign from United Way. The campaign aims to highlight the key local issues of homelessness, mental health, domestic
South Okanagan Drive Thru surpasses fundraising goal thanks to community champions
September 26, 2019 - The 8th annual South Okanagan Drive Thru blew past the fundraising goal thanks to the incredible support of local corporate sponsors, workplaces, pre-orders and Drive Thru guests. We reached $25,134 surpassing last year record by over $2000. The event was a great success as we sold out
Central Okanagan Campaign Kickoff and #UNIGNORABLE launch
September 13, 2019 (Central Okanagan) - United Way launched the Central Okanagan 2019/2020 campaign with the annual kickoff breakfast on Friday, September 13 at the Coast Capri Hotel. Thanks to our sponsors - presenting sponsor: BDO, Supporting sponsors: BMO Financial Group, Sun Life Financial and Coast Capri Hotel; media partners -
North Okanagan Campaign Kickoff Reception – September 19, 2019
September 19 (Vernon) – A wonderful display of local love last Thursday evening in Vernon, as Bannister Honda hosted United Way SIBC’s North Okanagan Campaign Kickoff Reception. Presented by MNP LLP, the event brought together local community champions from local workplaces, corporate sponsors, charity partners, volunteers and community leaders for a sneak
United Way invests in 80 local programs through Community Fund
September 11, 2019 (Southern Interior) – This week, United Way announced grants of over $620k from the Community Fund for 80 vital programs delivered by 54 unique charities across the Southern Interior including Central, South & North Okanagan, Similkameen, Columbia & Shuswap area. These investments will help improve the lives of
Swing Away for United Way Gives Back to the Community
July 25, 2019 (Kelowna, BC) – A huge thank you to Kayla Caruana at IG Wealth Management and Samantha Barker at Farris LLP for hosting the ladies golf clinic and fundraiser, Swing Away for United Way at Kelowna Driving Range. Professional instruction was given by two PGA golf pros who helped
Workplace Campaign Spotlight – RBC
As the 2018 Workplace Campaign comes to a close we would like to thank our champion RBC who have raised over $250,000 in the last 10 years. Locally, RBC has been supporting United Way SIBC by coordinating a Workplace Campaign for over 15 years! It comes as no