When it is time to make dreams come true, Kelowna residents always give generously.
Papa John91裸聊视频檚 Dreams for Kids Day will be held today in support of The Sunshine Foundation of Canada. The aim is to raise $50,000 to fund the trip of a lifetime for Okanagan kids living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.
It91裸聊视频檚 a lofty one-day goal, but one that organizers are confident they91裸聊视频檒l meet.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 by far the busiest day of the year 91裸聊视频攊n fact, it91裸聊视频檚 one of the busiest days for Papa John91裸聊视频檚 in North America,91裸聊视频� said Geoff Linquist, the president of the B.C. chain of Papa John91裸聊视频檚 restaurants.
Linquist has been feverishly preparing for the event that sends one hundred per cent of the pizza sale proceeds for the day to Sunshine Dream Programs.
91裸聊视频淲e actually bring some of our team members from the U.S., some from Vancouver and all hands on deck for all our staff in all our local stores,91裸聊视频� Linquist said, adding that he91裸聊视频檚 learned a lot in the three years since they91裸聊视频檝e taken on the event.
91裸聊视频淭he first year we didn91裸聊视频檛 have a goal, we just didn91裸聊视频檛 know what to expect and the community came out and supported it in a big way.91裸聊视频�
It91裸聊视频檚 understandable support, he said. The fundraiser, which was previously held by another restaurant chain, has been going for over 20 years in the Okanagan and it affects everyone involved.
91裸聊视频淟ast year we met the families and the children going to Disneyland for the day at the airport,91裸聊视频� he said, explaining that the event puts smiles on the kids, but also their whole families.
It91裸聊视频檚 an emotional trip for those co-ordinating the event as well.
So much so, that the Orange County Sheriff91裸聊视频檚 department, which escorts the Dream program participants in Disneyland, always sends representatives to the Okanagan for the event. There was one moment when they didn91裸聊视频檛 think they91裸聊视频檇 be participating anymore, but that91裸聊视频檚 when Papa John91裸聊视频檚 stepped in and it91裸聊视频檚 continued on as business as usual.
Nancy Sutherland is the Sunshine Foundation91裸聊视频檚 CEO said Papa John91裸聊视频檚 involvement allowed the charity to complete one program and maintain a community presence.
91裸聊视频淭his also drives a lot of awareness for Sunshine as a self-fund charity and these community initiatives and the funds raised are absolutely essential,91裸聊视频� said Sutherland.
91裸聊视频淭he kids have to be brave and trusting of people to look after them and so do their parents because it91裸聊视频檚 hard to let a very vulnerable child with a lot of complex medical needs out of your sight. But because we have incredible partnerships with physicians and specialists who come on the plane, parents do give us their confidence and trust.91裸聊视频�
Papa John91裸聊视频檚 Pizza locations in Kelowna and West Kelowna will join locations in Kamloops, Penticton and Prince George in participating.
The event gets underway at 10 a.m.
