Kelowna community shines in philanthropy

Last January, Kelowna residents and organizations were given a challenge: To embark on a year-long journey of volunteering and collectively garner 150,000 volunteer hours, in honour of Canada 150.

The numbers are in and according to the City of Kelowna, residents not only reached the goal, but surpassed it, clocking a total of 210,807 volunteer hours.

“I’m really pleased that so many residents took the time out of their busy lives to volunteer in 2017,” said Mariko Siggers, Community & Neighbourhood Services manager. “We have so many generous residents who are full of community spirit – and that’s been really special to see. I hope new volunteers have enjoyed the experience and keep it up.”

Also part of the Canada 150 birthday celebrations was the Sesquicentennial Grant.

Through this grant, several organizations received funding for various projects.

Okanagan College created na’ʔk’ʷulamən Garden, a 6,000-square-foot indigenous garden located at the Kelowna campus.

In the garden, 50 varieties of Okanagan plants, shrubs, trees and rocks were planted.

The garden also boasts artwork created by local indigenous artists.

The Kelowna Art Gallery also brought together important Canadian works of art from private collections throughout the Okanagan for viewing.

Of the collections, various artists' works were featured, including Emily Carr, Lawren Harris and Jack Bush.

A Kelowna Paddle Trail was established, thanks to the Kelowna Dragon Boat Society and Kelowna City Council.

The Paddle Trail runs along the Okanagan Lake foreshore and will be coordinated with public beach access spanning from McKinley Beach to Bertram Creek Regional Park.

An official grand opening is set to take place this spring.

Kelowna City Council will receive a final Canada 150 report on Feb. 19.

For more information on Canada 150 Sesquicentennial Grant recipients, visit Kelowna Canada 150.