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Comedians to share laughs to help Kelowna school

Fundraiser begins effort to replace $20,000 stolen from South Rutland Elementary PAC
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Dakoda’s Sports Bar & Grill is located in Kelowna at 1574 Harvey Ave. Photo: Contributed

Comic and comedy show promoter Dave Kopp realized quickly it was not joke upon learning that $20,000 was stolen from the South Rutland Elementary parent advisory council bank account.

As a former theatre high school teacher, Kopp understood the value in the school of fundraising efforts by parents to provide more activities and resources for students.

David Kopp
“The PAC president of South Rutland is a friend of mine and when I learned from her over the Christmas holidays about what had happened, I just wanted to do something to help as I know how hard it would be to replace that lost money,” Kopp said.

RELATED: School district stands behind South Rutland Elementary parents

His idea was to organize two upcoming comedy shows in the comedy lounge at Dakoda’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1574 Harvey Rd.

The first, sponsored by Kelowna Chrysler, will take place Saturday, Feb. 9, with the sponsorship enabling 100 per cent of the $20 ticket sales to benefit the South Rutland PAC. The second show is planned for March 23.

RELATED: Glenrosa Elementary PAC assisted by fundraiser concert

Kopp promises both shows will be fun and entertaining evenings, as he says Kelowna is something of a hotbed for up and coming comics. And there will be a different lineup of performers for each show.

“We have sent eight comedians who started out here to perform at the Just For Laughs festival so we must be doing something special,” said Kopp, who is both a stand-up comedian and promotes comedy shows at Dakoda’s.

“It’s a can’t lose scenario. One hundred per cent of the proceeds are going to the cause to help out and it will be a fun evening.”

RELATED: South Rutland PAC bank account robbed of $20,000

A South Rutland PAC spokesperson said the money theft, currently under an investigation involving both Kelowna RCMP and the BC Gaming Commission, has been a humbling experience, first reeling from the shock of being victimized by fraud to seeing a positive response to help from the community.

“It is in the RCMP’s hands now but we are in the process of trying to recover quickly and stay positive. We are going to finish the school year off strong and have a strong start to the 2019-20 school year,” said the spokesperson.

Tickets for the Feb. 9 comedy show are available in advance by calling 250-860-9500. There will also be a silent auction and door prizes.



barry.gerding@blackpress.ca

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Barry Gerding

About the Author: Barry Gerding

Senior regional reporter for Black Press Media in the Okanagan. I have been a journalist in the B.C. community newspaper field for 37 years...
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