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PHOTOS: OSNS celebrates 91Ƶpowerful91Ƶ 2-month Telethon in Penticton

More than 20 local businesses donated to the 44-year-old fundraiser

Heartwarming and powerful.

Those were just a few of the words Heather Miller could think of when asked about the outpour of community support for the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre over the last few months.

The centre91Ƶs new executive director watched this fall as several South Okanagan businesses and groups got involved with the 44th edition of OSNS Telethon.

The annual event supports OSNS programs for children with developmental challenges across the region.

91ƵIt warms your heart to see all the support,91Ƶ Miller said.

OSNS wrapped up its Share a Smile Fall Fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 2, with a celebration inside Penticton91Ƶs Cherry Lane Shopping Centre.

The fundraiser previously ran for 43 years in Penticton as a one-day event, but organizers this time around decided to hold a fall-long campaign starting at the beginning of October.

Megan Windeler, community engagement lead at OSNS, says seven local businesses hosted fundraisers in support of the centre this fall and an additional 20 contributed in other ways.

Final fundraising totals are expected to be released later this week.

91ƵThe donations will get used all year,91Ƶ Miller said. 91ƵWe use them to keep the services going and some of the money will be used to support children and families just to even be able to access the services, which is really important.91Ƶ

Saturday, meanwhile, was a day to 91Ƶshare a smile91Ƶ and celebrate all of the community91Ƶs generosity over the last few months.

Parents of OSNS kids were among those featured on stage, with some opting to share their own stories on the life-changing impact the centre has had on their families.

91ƵWe91Ƶre just so happy OSNS is in our community,91Ƶ one parent said to host Chad Mielke during a segment that will air on local TV at a later date.

A trio of holiday-themed performances from the Okanagan Dance Studio also ran during the event.

Festivities were capped off by last-minute donations from various groups, including the Penticton Firefighters Charitable Society, which presented OSNS leaders with a $5,000 cheque.

91ƵIt91Ƶs so powerful when I see all the celebrations that come together for an event like this,91Ƶ Miller said.



Logan Lockhart

About the Author: Logan Lockhart

I joined Black Press Media in 2021 after graduating from a pair of Toronto post-secondary institutions and working as a sports reporter for several different outlets.
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