Halina Centre Continues Their Legacy of Sharing and Caring

Seek out the beating heart of a community, and chances are you will find yourself in a place like Vernon’s Halina Centre. The popular activity centre is a volunteer-driven hub that cements together residents through forged friendships, attracting kindred spirits like bees to a hive.

All activity centres play a vital role in strengthening the social fabric of neighbourhoods, and Vernon’s Halina Centre is no exception. Halina provides a safe, welcoming space where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, interact, and build meaningful relationships. Encapsulated within Halina is a cozy cafe specializing in home-made soups, sandwiches, and pastries, a meeting room, and a versatile activities room.

Community Happens Here

The person tasked with guiding all this fun activity is Nancy MacKinnon. In the role of Halina’s Executive Director, Nancy has one central goal: bringing together the people in her community. “Anyone can participate in the activities,” Mackinnon tells us. Sure, members need to be 50+ to serve as a board member or vote, but for weekly events like bingo and dances with live bands, the doors are wide open.

By providing access to fitness programs and fun activities, the Halina Centre significantly contributes to the Vernon community’s overall well-being. The activities at Halina Centre include billiards, canasta, and mahjong, with interactive programs such as a library book exchange and puzzle swap. These programs and opportunities help residents develop new skills, explore interests, and engage with diverse perspectives, enriching individual lives and strengthening the broader community. The Centre welcomes new members for the low fee of $25 a year!

The Place Where Volunteers Make the Magic Happen

In an era where many individuals experience isolation due to busy schedules or increased digital communication, the members of Halina are proud to boast such a warm, welcoming gathering space. The activity centre ensures that everyone has a place to connect, contribute, and feel valued, a dedication that shines through in Halina’s volunteers. More than just a meeting place, Halina’s volunteers play a role in all aspects of running the busy Centre. “I even pop into the kitchen to make cheese biscuits when I can,” MacKinnon laughs. “We are blessed with having a Red Seal Chef for our kitchen manager, but we all chip in where we can to help out.”

In 2025, the volunteer team racked up over 15,000 hours. While much of that time was spent keeping things spinning at Halina, the warm-hearted, hard-working team also donated heavily to local events – such as the Vernon Winter Carnival. “I am always amazed at what our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Betty Beck, is able to accomplish,” says MacKinnon. In her role, Beck works tirelessly to keep the volunteers engaged, and the outpouring of support speaks to the tremendous love the members have for their facility.

The Halina Centre was the recipient of Vernon’s Chamber of Commerce award for Best Non-Profit for two years in a row (2024 and 2025) and they are working to win this for a 3rd year!

As Vernon’s oldest activity centre, Halina is also deeply rooted in the area’s history. What makes the Halina Senior Centre special is that it is not owned by the City of Vernon. Instead, it is a private, non-profit society with a board of directors overseeing decisions, tasking the Executive Director with implementing their goals. Over the years, Halina’s board of directors have supported many social connections and an important hub for Vernon’s growing population.

This year, Halina Centre will celebrate its 53rd anniversary, a milestone that MacKinnon takes very seriously. “When William Halina gifted his house to the City of Vernon, he initiated a legacy of giving that we are proud to carry on,” MacKinnon tells us. When the former mayor of Vernon laid the foundation for the activity centre, William Halina set in motion a powerhouse of giving, and supporting the diverse social, educational, and recreational interests of Vernonites.

Every thread of Vernon’s wide tapestry of people is welcomed at the activity centre, something MacKinnon is especially proud of. “I recently learned that the word halina is used as a welcoming invitation in Filipino,” she quips, another serendipitous example of what Halina stands for.

To find out more about joining their many programs, events, and enjoying great food at the Halina Centre, check out their Facebook page, website, or call (250) 542-2877. Build your circle of friends and family, enjoy the many fun activities, or just pop by for lunch. Membership prices are a steal at just $25 per year, and membership offers discounts on activities and in the cafe. “Members can enjoy a bowl of soup, a sandwich, and a beverage for less than ten dollars,” MacKinnon points out. You will find the Halina Centre tucked in behind the Vernon Recreation Centre, at 3310 37th Avenue. Learn more at their Annual General Meeting on Feb 18, 2026.

“How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

– Anne Frank

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