Downtown Kelowna will be taken over by decorated shopping carts competing in the 5th Annual Arthur Cottie Memorial Push to End Homelessness, an annual fundraising event for the local grassroots charity Inn from the Cold.
This year is bigger and better than previous years as it is an Amazing Race Challenge. Teams will start the race at the IFTC emergency winter shelter on Sutherland where there will be free donuts and coffee, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting done by Mayor Colin Basran.
Teams will then make their way through Amazing Race Challenges in the downtown core towards the finish line at Kerry Park. The day wraps up with a community BBQ, live music from Wild Son, and over $2,000 in prizes to be given away by MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, Norm Letnick or top fundraising team, best decorated cart, best team name and beyond.
The objective of the fundraising event is not only to raise much needed funds for Inn From The Cold, but more importantly, to raise awareness surrounding the issues of homelessness in our community.
“The PUSH is the most fun that you could have at a charity fundraising event—seriously some of the most fun I’ve had," said Vanessa, a race competitor from previous years. She pulled a group of her friends together for her team and gathered pledges to compete. All funds raised by teams support the work of IFTC’s programs.
Inn from the Cold—Kelowna is a registered charity that provides support services to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in our community. Their services include: an emergency winter shelter, outreach and case management, housing program, homelessness prevention program, and a street soccer team.
The PUSH is still open for team registrations, and with two weeks to go you still have time to get a team signed up and to collect pledges! Get together a group of co-workers, classmates, or friends and register at www.innfromthecoldkelowna.org or give us a call at 250-448-6403.