Huge donation for a Kelowna based organization

JoeAnna’s House has received a $56,656 donation from the Wish Come True Society.

The Wish Come True Society had been operating since 2012 with the goal of building a Pediatric respite/hospice house in Kelowna, for local families with acutely sick children.

In 2020 the Society had dissolved, and its board members decided to donate the funds earmarked for their project to a non-profit in town.

“We chose JoeAnna’s House as we are confident that our contribution to this great local resource will help to realize our original purpose of supporting children in need by allowing parents to be able to stay close by while their children are receiving advanced medical care at KGH,” says Angie Huber, of the Wish Come True Society (WCTS). “On behalf of all of the former board members of WCTS we are pleased to present $56,656.90 to this amazing organization for local families and children facing unimaginable health situations.”

JoeAnna’s House located directly on the Kelowna General Hospital campus, provides short-term housing for families of patients outside the Central Okanagan who need advanced medical care at KGH.

They offer 20 guest bedrooms and rely on a small group of staff and dedicated volunteers to keep their operations running.

“For so many families wanting to maintain a presence at KGH for the period of their loved ones' treatment, the travel and lack of affordable short-term accommodation in Kelowna adds significantly to their hardship,” remarks Darlene Haslock, Manager of JoeAnna’s House. “Often we see people who arrive in town with no personal belongings; they are completely overwhelmed because of their loved one’s medical situation and the financial drain and emotional burden of trying to find a place to stay during an already difficult time is simply crushing.”

One quarter of families staying at JoeAnna’s House were there for the purpose of Pediatrics and newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.