A remarkable donation of $630,000 from the Summerland Charity Shop Society to the South Okanagan Similkameen Community Foundation is set to transform lives across Summerland. The funds aim to enhance educational opportunities, address food insecurity, and sustain youth programs within the community.
Of the total donation, $100,000 will go directly to Summerland Secondary School to provide bursaries for Grade 12 students pursuing university, college, or technical certifications. Another $30,000 is dedicated to the weekend food backpack program, supporting local families through the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre.
“We are thrilled to be able to add to our Community Legacy Fund and high school bursaries to support youth for decades to come,” said Orv Robson, a director of Penny Lane, the charity’s predecessor. “The donation to the foundation will increase the Legacy Fund to over $1 million, and the donation to the high school will provide bursaries for students seeking further education.”
Summerland charity’s legacy of support
The Summerland Charity Shop Society’s roots date back to 2001 when it launched the Penny Lane stores as a second-hand shop at the youth center. Under directors Bruce Hallquist, Robson, Al Fabbi, Scott Boswell, Rick Thorpe, Art Sewell, and Ellen Lloyd, the initiative quickly expanded to two downtown Summerland locations.
“It’s been a great ride from when we first opened a storefront in 2001,” said Hallquist, “we reached our five-year financial objectives in just 18 months. Our initial goal was to support at-risk youth, and our motto was, ‘If we can save one child, it will all be worth it,’ as it turns out, we were able to support many youth in our community.”
The stores provided essential funding and created jobs and business opportunities for at-risk youth. Profits from the stores were funneled into the building and operating a youth center, which ran development programs for 15 years and offered high school drug and alcohol counselling.
Expanding the impact
Since the closure of the Penny Lane stores in 2013, the society has shifted its focus to long-term community support. 2014, it sold its properties and established the Penny Lane Community Legacy Fund with the South Okanagan Similkameen Community Foundation.
This fund has since supported numerous initiatives, including school breakfast programs, nursing and medical scholarships, contributions to the Summerland Skateboard Park, and high school bursaries.
“Penny Lane has provided $3 million to support 60 community organizations,” said Fabbi. “This includes vital programs like the Penticton Youth Center and many others that continue to impact lives positively.”
The recent $630,000 donation is a strategic part of the society’s transition plan, ensuring its assets continue to benefit the community for generations. With the Legacy Fund exceeding $1 million, the impact of the society’s contributions will be felt well into the future.
“The Summerland Charity Shop Society has been a steadfast supporter of our foundation and even longer of our community,” said McCann, a representative of the Community Foundation. “Their leadership and dedication to youth programs and initiatives have made a lasting impact.”
Results that speak volumes
Over its 23-year history, the Summerland Charity Shop Society has unwaveringly prioritized youth and community development. Its consistent donations have significantly improved access to education, reduced food insecurity, and provided essential resources to local families.
The latest donation reinforces this legacy, promising long-term benefits for Summerland residents. The Legacy Fund’s over $1 million growth ensures continued support for high school students, food programs, and other community initiatives.
The bursaries funded by this donation will empower countless students to pursue their dreams, helping them secure brighter futures. As the society transitions its assets to the foundation, it leaves a remarkable legacy of generosity, hope, and community empowerment, this legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations to make a difference.