Second annual Day of Giving for JoeAnna’s House

This Thursday is going to be a big day as the KGH Foundation hosts its second annual Day of Giving in support of JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna.

All day long, starting at 6 a.m., those who wish to support the much-needed home away from home for the families of out of town KGH patients, are encouraged to make a donation.  The one-day fundraising event provides many opportunities for the community get involved.

“Come by our drive thru donation station and give in person at JoeAnna’s House.  We’d love to see everyone,” said Bettina Muller, Events Manager for the KGH Foundation. “Or, it’s as easy as giving a gift online.”

JoeAnna’s House is located at the corner of Royal Ave. and Abbott St.

Save-on-Foods is hosting a by-donation drive thru breakfast at JoeAnna’s House from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.  Businesses and corporate teams are encouraged to join the Corporate Challenge by making a donation and challenging others in their industry or sector to do the same.

Since opening in November 2019, JoeAnna’s House has provided a safe haven for hundreds of regional families needing a place to stay close to Kelowna General Hospital while their loved ones receive advanced medical care.

Hosts from Pattison radio stations, 103.1 Beach Radio and 104.7 The Lizard, will be on-site from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., sharing first-hand stories from JoeAnna’s House guests and the impact it had for their families during very stressful times.

“Our community is special because of our ability to work together,” says Karl Johnston, General Manager, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Okanagan.  “Our local hospital and patients needing emergency or specialized medical care, will benefit from our support now more than ever. JoeAnna’s House provides an invaluable resource to these families.”

As the lead referral hospital for up to 1 million residents in the B.C. interior, at any given time, one in four beds at KGH is occupied by someone outside the Central Okanagan.  Even throughout the pandemic – families still travel to Kelowna to support their loved ones and are now under more strain than ever.

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.

JoeAnna’s House relies solely on the continued generosity of the community to remain open.

“Once they walk into JoeAnna’s House, you can visibly see the stress coming off of them. They wake up knowing that we’re taking care of them, so they can focus on taking care of their loved ones,” said Darlene Haslock, Manager of JoeAnna’s House.

“The impact of giving to JoeAnna’s House is knowing that you are supporting a family, at probably the worst time in their life,” added Haslock. “It’s knowing that you are putting a roof over somebody’s head when the last thing they need to worry about is where they are going to sleep at night.”

For more information on Better Together Day and to give to JoeAnna’s House, visit joeannashouse.com.