One of Kelowna’s most well-known charity events is back. Thursday morning, locals got up early to eat breakfast in support of the United Way.
The Ramada Inn in Kelowna is once again serving Maxine DeHart’s drive-thru breakfast after a three-year absence.
“It’s great, truly. I honestly don’t know what to say because I’m so thrilled as I gaze at the automobiles. The fundraiser’s creator, DeHart, stated, “I always worry in the first hour if people are going to come, but they always do, they always come out.
DeHart declared in 2018 that she would lead the fundraiser for the final time, but she felt compelled to do it one more in 2022 due to the pandemic’s negative economic effects.
“COVID really hurt the organisations, and they need the money. Things were different in the past; there were numerous organisations, they had funding, and donors made annual contributions. Now, it’s different. Our lives have altered because of COVID, and I believe that will continue.
The fundraiser attracted a long line of vehicles, and it was announced that all funds earned will be reinvested in the neighbourhood to help food security and other charitable causes.
Our food centres are seeing families and students who are struggling to make ends meet in this time of inflation and high food prices, and this will go a long way to helping them out, according to Michael McKnight, president and CEO of United Way of BC.
Additionally, the funds will support senior and youth programming in Kelowna.
According to McKnight, watching locals turn out in large numbers on Thursday morning demonstrates their commitment to supporting their neighbours.
“Communities demonstrate resilience when members band together to support one another during trying times, and I believe this is a really beautiful example of the strength of this community,” McKnight said.
She acknowledges that there is a good probability she’ll be back even though DeHart has urged she cease planning the brunch.
We’ll just have to watch what happens.
But you know, why not do it if people keep supporting it?
A minimum of $40,000 was raised on Thursday, bringing the total amount raised in the event’s 21 years to more than $1 million.
After a three-year sabbatical, Kelowna’s drive-through breakfast fundraiser is back.
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