KELOWNA – United Way CSO held their annual community appreciation celebration at Kelowna Golf and Country Club.

The evening celebrated the contributions with over 80 Community Leaders, corporate sponsors, media partners, workplace campaigns, volunteers and partner agencies for the 2015 campaign.

The celebration was proudly presented by Your Dollar Store with More and supported by Gennext Kelowna.

As a result of these fundraising efforts and provincial funding, $1.35M was invested in the Central and South Okanagan. A total of $864,946 was invested in Central Okanagan communities last year. The Central Okanagan Community Fund of $461,200 was allocated to 23 local agencies while Impact Funds totaling $403,746 were allocated to children, youth, family and seniors services such as the Child Safety car seat initiatives, Youth Initiative Grants and other strategic initiatives such as the bc211 online database and the 1st year of a 3 year commitment to the new Central Okanagan Family Hub. The Better at Home and Success by Six program make up the balance of the provincial initiatives supporting the region.

Over 60% of the community funds are generated by individuals in local workplace campaigns. United Way prepared over 100 appreciation certificates for each workplace and presented them to those in attendance.