Brave fundraisers rappel down Kelowna Tower for Easter Seals drop zone – Okanagan
Once Gerry Austgarden’s wheels cleared the edge of a Kelowna, B.C., tower, he entered the “drop zone,” where he and his chair rappelled 23 stories to raise money for Easter Seals BC and Yukon.
He was one of 52 people who signed up and took part in the annual Easter Seals drive. Drop zone fundraiser in which they rappelled down the side of one of the towers in Kelowna’s Landmark district.
“It was a little scary, I guess, because it took a lot of effort for them to get me over the edge. Once I did, it was pretty good,” Austgarden said.
This year’s fundraising goal is $100,000 and the majority of that money will go toward Easter Seals Camp programs in British Columbia, including Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan on Vancouver Island, Easter Seals Camp Squamish and Camp Winfield in the Okanagan.
“Camps are a very expensive business. We welcome about 1,000 people a year to the province through our camp program,” said Lisa Beck, President and CEO of Easter Seals BC and Yukon.
“It costs us about $3,600 per camper and that’s because of our high ratio (of camp counselors and other support staff) that we need, we also need registered nurses on staff.”
These extra supports are necessary for campers of all ages who have physical and cognitive differences. With the right team in place, campers can let loose, have fun, and create memories that will last a lifetime without having to worry.
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“In my opinion, camp is the best place on earth. These campers come and spend a week doing whatever they want: high ropes, low ropes, swimming pool, all kinds of activities,” said James Gagnon, vice-president of programs and services.
“In everyday life, a lot of our campers are told ‘no,’ they can’t do this, they can’t do that, it’s not accessible. When they come to camp, we don’t know the word, we make it work.”
This is the first of four Drop Zone events taking place across the province this month. The next one will be in Vancouver on September 10, another in Burnaby on September 14 and the last one in Victoria on September 18.
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