Parade with a Purpose has partnered with the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation (KGH) for its next edition to advance mental health care in the community.
The event was created in 2020 by mother-daughter team, Pam Turgeon and Shadia Doty, after losing Pam乌鸦传媒檚 son and Shadia乌鸦传媒檚 husband and brother to mental illness and addiction.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e incredibly excited to partner with the KGH Foundation,乌鸦传媒� Doty said in a statement. 乌鸦传媒淭ogether, we have the opportunity to further our impact on acute and community-based mental healthcare, and create lasting, positive change.乌鸦传媒�
The parade began with just three floats in Kettle Valley and has grown into a yearly holiday event in downtown Kelowna.
Over the past four years, the parade has raised more than $700,000 for The Bridge Youth & Family Services, helping to fund the Phase 2 Youth Recovery House, a live-in program for youth aged 12乌鸦传媒�18 facing serious substance use and mental health challenges.
乌鸦传媒淲orking with The Bridge was truly transformative,乌鸦传媒� Turgeon said. 乌鸦传媒淣ow, with that goal realized, we乌鸦传媒檙e energized to channel that momentum into our next chapter in supporting mental health.乌鸦传媒�
This year乌鸦传媒檚 Parade with a Purpose marks a new partnership with the KGH Foundation,
乌鸦传媒淧am and Shadia乌鸦传媒檚 courage, passion, and relentless dedication are nothing short of inspiring,乌鸦传媒� said Allison Young, Foundation CEO. 乌鸦传媒淲e are deeply grateful and incredibly proud to stand beside them and work together to strengthen and re-imagine mental health care in our community.乌鸦传媒�
The KGH Foundation乌鸦传媒檚 commitment to mental health includes the乌鸦传媒淲e See You乌鸦传媒� campaign in partnership with CMHA Kelowna, the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, Kelowna Community Resources, and Interior Health.
Another notable achievement is the opening of Foundry Kelowna in 2017, which supports young people experiencing mental health challenges.
Parade With A Purpose returns to downtown Kelowna on December 6. The community is invited to sponsor a float, volunteer, or attend the parade in support.
