‘Better Together Day’ supports JoeAnna’s House

The third annual Better Together Day for JoeAnna’s House will take place Thursday (Oct. 6) at the corner of Royal Ave. and Abbott Street in Kelowna

The event will raise funds for the much-needed home away from home for the families of out-of-town Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) patients, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pattison Media, the official media sponsor for Better Together Day, will have hosts from 103.1 Beach Radio and 104.7 The Lizard on-site at JoeAnna’s House and the Orchard Plaza Save-On-Foods location from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Radio hosts will help spread the word and share first-hand stories from guests at the facility and the impact it had for their families.

“My husband was brought to KGH from our home in Creston where he required treatment for an aortic aneurysm,” said Cindi Day, a former JoeAnna’s House guest. “I can’t express how much I appreciate the care and support I received from JoeAnna’s House. My stress level and ability to cope were supported and helped give me strength. Without JoeAnna’s House, I am not sure I could have supported his recovery once at home.”

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.

Like Cindy, for so many families wanting to maintain a presence at KGH for the period of their loved one’s treatment, the cost of travel and lack of affordable short-term accommodation in Kelowna can add significantly to their hardship.

Since opening in November 2019, JoeAnna’s House has provided a safe haven for over a thousand regional families needing a place to stay close to the hospital while their loved ones received advanced medical care.

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

“We’re so excited for this one-day call to action in support of JoeAnna’s House,” said Darlene Haslock, director of JoeAnna’s House. “There are several ways for the community to get involved, make a gift and support Better Together Day on October 6.”

On Thursday, October 6, the community can:

· Give in-person – drop by JoeAnna’s House on the corner of Royal Ave. and Abbott St. from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. to use the drive-thru donation station;

· Take advantage of the drive-thru breakfast hosted by Save-On-Foods at the Orchard Plaza Save-On-Foods location (1876 Cooper Rd.) from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.;

· Gift a gift online at joeannasnouse.com anytime;

· Call-in your donation at 250.862.4438; and

· Donate at the till at participating Save-On-Foods locations.

“The Change Bandits from Sprott Shaw College will be out on Pandosy St. in front of the hospital throughout the day making some noise and accepting gifts from those who drive by,” said Haslock. “The community is also welcome to join us for coffee, lunch and entertainment throughout the day in the parking lot of JoeAnna’s House.”