Kelowna’s first Drop Zone event hits the money

• Fundraisers rappelled down a building in September
• One company surprised the organizers
• Kids with disabilities get a week at camp

Kelowna’s very first Drop Zone event, held in September, exceeded its fundraising goal thanks to brave volunteers and a surprise donation.

Around $66,000 was raised for Camp Winfield, organizer Michelle Weber told Kelowna10. Between all four events in B.C., nearly $200,000 was brought in.

Money raised locally came courtesy of volunteers collecting $850 to rappel 18 stories down the Landmark 6 building. One Kelowna based company was also a big part of the success.

“I had a lovely conversation with the folks at the Stober Foundation and they committed to donating $15,000. But on the day of the event, they surprised us and donated $25,000,” Weber said.

Stober also sent two of its members to rappel; director Matt Hauge, and director and lead philanthropist Keith Brewster.

All funds raised for Drop Zone go to Easter Seals B.C. and Yukon, who help support kids with disabilities and their families.

Camp Winfield is fully accessible to all children regardless of mobility level. Among its features is a water slide, giant swing, pool, mini golf, rock climbing wall, mess hall and sleeping quarters.

Donations not only help with the upkeep of the site but also make it affordable for families to send their children to an Easter Seals camp. It costs about $3,000 per child to attend for a week.

Last year they were unable to host children at Camp Winfield due to the pandemic. This coming summer they plan on welcoming them back.

Due to the success of the first Drop Zone in Kelowna, the 2022 sequel is already being planned.

“We’re hoping to go bigger and better. We had such a great time with the Landmark Group (which is Stober as well). We’re hoping to get to rappel from their new building, the Landmark 7 next year if it’s ready,” Weber said.

Landmark 6, which hosted the 2021 Drop Zone is 18 stories tall. Landmark 7 is 23 stories and is expected to be finished in May 2022.