Rotary Club of Kelowna Donates $4,000 to Support 80 Christmas Hampers Through OVPCC

The Rotary Club of Kelowna is proud to support local families this holiday season with a $4,000 donation to the Okanagan Valley Pregnancy Care Centre (OVPCC). The funds will help provide 80 Christmas hampers for families in need across the Okanagan.

We were pleased to welcome Christine Crandall, Executive Director of OVPCC, to our meeting to receive the donation and share how these hampers make a meaningful difference. Each one includes essential food items, baby supplies, household necessities, and small gifts to bring comfort and hope during the holiday season.

The OVPCC offers free and confidential support for individuals and families facing unplanned or challenging pregnancies, providing counselling, resources, baby items, and ongoing care. Their work closely aligns with Rotary’s mission of serving and strengthening our community.

We are grateful for the impactful services the OVPCC provides and are honoured to partner with them in supporting families during this special time of year.

🌟 Welcome to Our Newest Member – Necia Borgh! 🌟

The Rotary Club of Kelowna is thrilled to welcome Necia Borgh as the newest member of our club!

Necia comes to Rotary with a strong passion for community and a meaningful personal connection — her son Nate was an International Rotary Youth Exchange Student, giving her firsthand experience of the life-changing impact Rotary can have on youth and families. Having witnessed that influence up close, Necia is excited to now contribute to that same legacy of service.

She has hit the ground running, already joining both our Public Image Committee and the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation Board. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to giving back make her an incredible addition to our Rotary family.

💙 Welcome, Necia — we’re so grateful to have you with us!

🌍 Want to Get Involved Too?

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to contribute to your community — whether you're newly retired, have professional skills you’d love to put to good use, or simply want to make a difference — Rotary might be exactly what you're looking for.

Reach out to us anytime to learn more about how you can get involved.

#RotaryKelowna #NewMember #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryYouthExchange #KelownaCommunity #PublicImageCommittee #RotaryFoundation #JoinRotary

🇨🇦 The Field of Crosses: Kelowna’s Tribute to Canada’s Fallen 🇨🇦

Each November, Kelowna’s City Park becomes a place of reflection and remembrance with the Field of Crosses—more than 220 white crosses honoring members of the Canadian Armed Forces who gave their lives in service. First established in 2018 and inspired by Calgary’s Memorial Drive, this powerful display has become a central part of Kelowna’s Remembrance Day traditions.

The memorial is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Kelowna and the Okanagan Military Museum Society, but it’s Rotary’s leadership, organization, and hands-on commitment that bring it to life. From planning and setup to ongoing care and final takedown, Rotary volunteers ensure every cross is respectfully placed and personalized with the name and details of a fallen soldier.

Rotary also supports the lighting, ceremonies, and educational programming led by the Okanagan Military Museum—connecting the community, including local students, with the stories behind the names.

🕯️ The Field of Crosses is open to the public 24/7 from November 2 to November 12, offering a place to quietly reflect and pay tribute. After Remembrance Day, Rotary volunteers carefully remove and store each cross for the following year.

This meaningful project is a living tribute to our veterans and a reminder of Rotary’s enduring motto: “Service Above Self.”

🎉 Rotaract at UBCO: A Promising Start! 🎉

The energy of service, leadership, and community spirit was in full swing at UBC Okanagan this week, where 25 motivated students gathered for a highly successful Rotaract information session. This event marks a major milestone in the journey to establish a brand-new Rotaract Club at UBCO—one that will inspire young leaders to create positive change both locally and globally.

Leading the session was Anita Nambuuza, a driven 2nd-year computer science student whose passion, leadership, and thoughtful vision set the tone from the very beginning. Anita’s enthusiasm for service and community engagement has played a key role in getting this initiative off the ground, and her fellow students responded enthusiastically.

Also in attendance were Rick Potter and Roger Powley from the Rotary Club of Kelowna, which is proudly stepping forward as the club’s sponsor. Their presence highlighted the strong and supportive partnership between Rotary and Rotaract, a connection that offers mentorship, resources, and incredible opportunities for collaboration. This sponsorship ensures the new club will not only grow but thrive as part of the larger community-service ecosystem in Kelowna.

Rotaract gives students a rare opportunity to develop leadership skills, build lifelong friendships, and contribute meaningfully to society—whether through local community service projects, global initiatives, or professional networking with Rotary members. With a core group of dedicated students, supportive mentors, and a shared vision, the future looks incredibly bright for Rotaract at UBCO.

📢 Stay tuned for further updates as this incredible initiative continues to grow, with more meetings, projects, and community engagement opportunities on the horizon!

Nate Borgh’s Transformative Journey to Italy Through the Youth Exchange Program
 

The Rotary Club of Kelowna is proud to highlight the inspiring journey of Nate Borgh, our outbound Youth Exchange Student, who spent the past year immersed in the culture and community of Italy. Nate’s experience is a compelling example of the profound personal growth and cross-cultural understanding that the Youth Exchange Program fosters.

Nate arrived in Italy ready to embrace a new way of life but quickly faced challenges typical for any young person living abroad—especially in a country where he initially didn’t speak the language fluently and had to adapt to unfamiliar customs. Over the year, Nate overcame these obstacles with remarkable resilience and determination. Today, he is nearly fluent in Italian and has gained invaluable skills in navigating cultural differences, from day-to-day interactions to adapting to unique traditions—such as enjoying whole fish for dinner!

One of the most significant changes Nate experienced was within himself. He found that living abroad pushed him to confront and manage adversity in a supportive environment, shaping his confidence and independence. During his recent presentation to our club, Nate eloquently shared how this journey transformed him, illustrating the tremendous personal benefits that come from stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

The Youth Exchange Program offers young people like Nate the opportunity to develop as global citizens, fostering mutual understanding, friendship, and goodwill. Exchange students learn to appreciate diversity and become ambassadors for peace and cultural exchange. Nate’s story is a testament to the life-changing potential of these experiences.

The Rotary Club of Kelowna invites community members interested in learning more about the Youth Exchange Program or those keen on supporting incoming exchange students to get involved. Whether as host families, mentors, or volunteers, there are many ways to assist these young ambassadors as they continue building bridges across cultures.

Nate’s journey exemplifies the lasting impact of Rotary’s commitment to youth development and international fellowship. We look forward to supporting more students who seek to expand their horizons, just as Nate has.

For more information about the Youth Exchange Program and how to get involved, please reach out to the Rotary Club of Kelowna. Together, we can continue to empower young people to shape a more connected and understanding world.