The 2019 Campout to End Youth Homelessness. (Photo via A Way Home Kamloops)
The Executive Director for A Way Home Kamloops says they were able to exceed their $50,000 Camp Out to End Youth Homelessness fundraising goal this year.
Speaking on the Jeff Andreas Show, Katherine McParland says as of this morning, that total was sitting at over $60,000.
“We put out a call to the community and our community rallied around these young people and really made a significant contribution that will allow us to take youth off the street,” she said.
McParland says when she approached the Thompson Nicola Regional District last Thursday to ask for money, they were sitting at about $35,000 raised.
“We received a $3,200 donation this weekend from an individual made online on Canada Helps. We have this amazing couple come in on Friday – the Frolek’s – and they donated $2,500,” she said.
“We definitely have seen a lot of corporate sponsorship but to see that contribution from a local community perspective is just so inspiring. People have prioritized this.”
McParland said she was shocked the agency was able to achieve its fundraising goal in the days ahead of the campout.
There were also ‘star campers’ including Daybreak Rotary president Roxanna Ferguson who raised $5,000, Andrew Scott of Onside Restoration who chipped in with $2,875, and realtor Aaron Krausert with $2,511.
In all there were over 50 people who camped out on Friday night at McDonald Park on Friday night, according to McParland. She says donations are still being accepted until after the holidays.
“We’re quite well to do here in Canada. We have sometimes our basic needs met, and so I’d encourage families to look at maybe sponsoring a young person to have a home,” she said.
“As part of Christmas, you are teaching your children to give and to have that community responsibility.”
The 2018 camp out raised over $52,000 for A Way Home Kamloops, money which was put towards the Safe Suites project, which opened its doors last Monday.
(Photo via Acacia Pangilinan)
