Community Support Shines Bright During Light a Bulb and Throughout the Year

As 2023 comes to a close and we pass the mid-way point in our annual holiday Light a Bulb fundraiser, the VJH Foundation wishes everyone in our community a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

Your generosity throughout the year has helped light the way to better healthcare for friends, families and neighbours across the North Okanagan.

Thanks to the overwhelming response to this year’s Light a Bulb appeal, we are well on our way to our goal of purchasing a next-generation X-ray machine for VJH, meaning thousands more patients each year will have access to the diagnoses and treatments they need.

See below for just a few of our wonderful community partners who have contributed to this year’s Light a Bulb.

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Healthcare Auxiliary (ASHA) operates the Bargain Bin, a popular thrift store in Armstrong which sees the sale of its items donated to local groups aimed at improving health and wellness. We were thrilled to receive $87,500 from ASHA this year, including $33,000 towards Light a Bulb. Behind this generosity are 55 dedicated volunteers who have contributed over 15,000 hours of their time from January to September, sorting, pricing, and selling items in the store.

The Desert Cove Homeowners Association’s generous support has spanned years, with more than $35,000 in total contributions gifted to the Foundation over time. Special thanks to the Desert Cove Recycling Team, the driving force behind this year’s $8,115 donation towards Light a Bulb!

Back row (left to right): Desert Cove Recycling Team (Jim Horsford, Chris Meisener, Bill Versluis, Bob Cox, Mike Hovde) and Brad Callihoo (VJHF Board)

Front row (left to right): Kate McBrearty (VJHF Executive Director), Marilyn Richardson (President, Desert Cove Homeowners Association; Cecile Zandbergen, Treasurer, Desert Cove Homeowners Association)

The Vernon Professional Firefighters Charitable Society (VPCS) continued their tradition of giving locally with a $3,000 donation to this year’s Light a Bulb campaign.

From left: Chris Robinson (VPCS); Shannon Jolley (VJH Foundation); John Doorman, Hugh Grundy, and Mark Hobbs (VPCS)