Foundation nearing goal

It’s hard to believe that Penticton Regional Hospital’s new David E. Kampe Tower will open to patients in just over three months. I’ve heard countless comments from people praising the building’s fresh look – and eagerly anticipating its April 29 opening. Definitely exciting times!

The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation’s recent

Tree of Dreams campaign was a big success, bringing the total amount of donations and pledges to $18.4 million. That leaves about $1.6 million remaining to reach our $20-million goal by the end of 2019.

Among our bigger donors were Lorraine and Doug MacMillan, owners of Canadian Tire in Penticton. The MacMillans quietly announced their $25,000 donation to PRH during the Light Up the Peach event on Dec. 17 at the landmark concession stand on Lakeshore Drive. Kudos to the Light Up the Peach organizers, as well as owners Diana and Dustin Stirling, and the 200 or so people who showed up on a chilly evening.

Thanks as well to the TB Vets who donated $15,000 towards a new respiratory patient ventilator at PRH. Although the ventilator was not part of the PRH Tower equipment list, it replaced an older model ventilator which was no longer repairable. TB Vets has been around for years – such a great organization.

Volunteers are truly the unsung heroes at Penticton Regional Hospital. If you have a few spare hours a week to volunteer at PRH then circle Saturday, Jan. 26 on your calendar. A volunteer recruitment fair will be held at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You’ll have an opportunity for a face-to-face chat about how you can make a difference in our community. Dozens of volunteers are needed as we move toward the opening of the new PRH tower.

Speaking of unsung heroes, every member of the Penticton Hospital Auxiliary should take a deep bow. The auxiliary recently made the final payment towards their incredible $250,000 pledge to the SOS Medical Foundation’s PRH Tower equipment campaign. Not only that, but they did so more than a year ahead of schedule. Fantastic effort!

A big thank-you to Florence and Dave Meller, best known for being long-time owners of the Kaleden Restaurant. After 44 years of running the restaurant, Dave and Florence recently sold the establishment and donated $10,000 to PRH. The Mellers’ three children and five grandchildren were all born at PRH.

I understand the new owners have plans to renovate and change the focus of the business which will no longer be known as the Kaleden Restaurant.

Finally, more than 1,500 thanks to the staff at Penticton Home Hardware who donated $1,525 to PRH following a silent auction at their recent Christmas party. The company matched the amount raised which also resulted in a donation to the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.

Thanks again to everyone at Home Hardware – super support for health care in our region.

John Moorhouse is the development and communications officer for the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation. For more information on donating, call 250-492-9027 or visit sosmedicalfoundation.com