Articles tagged "OC Foundation"
Community thrives here: OC Foundation releases 2024–2025 Gratitude Report
October 22, 2025
It was an easy choice for this year’s Gratitude Report theme: Community thrives here.This phrase reflects the spirit that lives at the heart of everything we do at 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation.When you give, you do more than support education. You help build a place where people belong, where dreams are nurtured, and futures are transformed. Your generosity reminds students that they are not alone as they navigate challenges like the rising cost of living, mental health pressures, and food and housing insecurity. Your support is a ha...
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Shopping for a cause: Sweet Repeats Consignment Co. partners with 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation to support students
October 20, 2025
Sweet Repeats Consignments Co., in a donation partnership with 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation, invites students and the community to two days of shopping for a purpose. On October 24 and 25, the Kelowna campus will transform into a boutique pop-up featuring previous donations from Sweet Repeats, a local Women’s Consignment clothing store in Kelowna. All proceeds from the event will be donated to 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation to support student bursaries.In these challenging times, these are precisely the moments when we need to stan...
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From students to supporters — A full circle moment!
October 20, 2025
Alumni siblings Jennifer and Josh Tocher know firsthand the power of education and the difference it can make in someone’s life. That’s why they created the Tocher Family Culinary Arts Award, supporting the next generation of culinary talent at 51±¬ÁÏ.This year’s recipient, Nathan Clark, recently completed the Culinary Arts program and will continue his studies in the Pastry Chef program to build on his skills and pursue his dream. “This award means so much to me. It’s helping me take the next step toward the Pastry Arts p...
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ELEVATE delights guests and fuels the next generation of culinary talent
October 16, 2025
51±¬ÁÏ (OC) hosted a night of mentorship, creativity and inspiration as alumni, instructors, and students joined forces with some of the region’s most celebrated chefs for Elevate: An Okanagan Experience.The Oct. 4 event transformed the Kelowna campus into a vibrant piazza alive with flavour, artistry, and community spirit, all in support of OC’s future Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism.The evening showcased the best of Okanagan’s culinary scene, with locally renowned chefs — many of them College alumni or former instructo...
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51±¬ÁÏ Foundation debuts ELEVATE: an Okanagan experience
August 21, 2025
A pair of local legendary chefs will lead two powerhouse teams in a culinary competition at 51±¬ÁÏ’s Kelowna campus this fall, as a new feature event from the 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation will bring a battle of flavours and an evening of sensory delight to campus.Mark your calendars – on Saturday, Oct. 4, Chef Rod Butters and Chef Bernard Casavant will transform the Kelowna campus into a vibrant, first-class piazza for the inaugural ELEVATE — a tantalizing fundraising event that celebrates the region’s culinary and artistic...
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Big assist: Callahan Property Group gives major gift to recreation centre
June 2, 2025
It’s an inspiring gift set to empower youth, strengthen community ties and champion the power of education.Bruce and Bob Callahan, philanthropists and owners of Callahan Property Group, are donating $200,000 to the Thrive Here campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre at 51±¬ÁÏ’s Kelowna campus.Bruce Callahan, president of Callahan Property Group, says the family-owned business prides itself on supporting community organizations.“We are thrilled to support this centre,†says Bruce. “I am an 51±¬ÁÏ alumni and ...
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51±¬ÁÏ, City of Kelowna partnership “game-changingâ€
May 6, 2025
With construction well underway on the new 51±¬ÁÏ Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre, the College and the City of Kelowna are announcing a new, game-changing partnership.“We’re so excited for the Centre to open because it will mean students have incredible access to sports leagues, strength and mobility classes, wellness programs and so many other activities that help build connections and contribute to healthy lifestyles,†said Dr. Neil Fassina, OC president. “Working together with the City means we can pr...
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Thorpe and Friends celebrate 100th student award
April 16, 2025
51±¬ÁÏ Foundation is celebrating a significant milestone in philanthropic giving. Two students — Keira Chevallier and Angelina Sebastian — both in the Health Care Assistant program, received awards from Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and friends whose generosity has now supported over 100 students in total.“When we started these awards nearly 20 years ago our goal was to reach 100 students,†shared Rick Thorpe at a ceremony marking the achievement yesterday.“We couldn’t have done this without the support of our friends. Everything...
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GeoVerra’s gift helps students navigate futures in engineering  
April 14, 2025
Future civil engineers at 51±¬ÁÏ (OC) are getting a high-tech boost, thanks to a generous donation from GeoVerra.GeoVerra has donated six global navigation satellite survey (GNSS) systems, valued at $77,900, to OC’s Civil Engineering Technology program. This cutting-edge equipment ensures students, like first-year learner Lane Wiebe, gain practical, hands-on experience with tools they'll use in today’s technologically advanced construction industry.“Knowing that companies like GeoVerra are invested in our success is p...
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Final stretch: $1M left to cross finish line for Thrive Here campaign
March 27, 2025
Kelowna Auto Dealers Association donates $200k in support of Recreation and Wellness CentreThe home stretch is now in sight for the Thrive Here fundraising campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre on 51±¬ÁÏ’s (OC’s) Kelowna campus.The OC Foundation is celebrating $13 million raised towards the $14 million goal thanks to amazing support from the community including a $200,000 donation from the Kelowna Auto Dealers Association (KADA). “This is a meaningful project for us to support,†says Sam Ghessesow, KADA ...
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Belonging through sport
March 11, 2025
Having grown up in small-town Manitoba, Ryan Powers knew everyone. So, at 17 years old, he remembers how daunting it felt to move out of the comforts of his hometown to Kelowna, where he really didn’t know anyone, to attend 51±¬ÁÏ (OC).Powers recalls that what made the transition easier was knowing he would be joining the OC Coyotes baseball team.“At my first practice I met 50 of my best friends,†recalls Powers, who has been playing on the Coyotes baseball team for three years while pursuing a bachelor of business adminis...
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Giving Tuesday raises $12K for student food security
December 18, 2024
Thanks to a number of generous donations from OC faculty, staff and our community, the shelves in OC’s student union food banks and the KLO community fridge will be well stocked for the holidays. 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation’s Giving Tuesday food drive inspired hundreds of donated food items and cash donations totalling more than $12,000 in support of student food security through November and December. This includes a $5,000 donation from the 51±¬ÁÏ Faculty Association (OCFA). Donations made to the Student ...
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OC Foundation distributes over $500,000 in student awards for fall semester
December 4, 2024
For Lucas Weigert, receiving awards was the moment he knew he had made the right choice to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.Weigert, a second year Associate of Science student, was a student speaker at 51±¬ÁÏ’s (OC) Kelowna Awards Celebration November 21. The event was one of three held in November that saw more than $550,000 distributed to OC students across the region.Weigert is completing his first two years of his undergraduate degree at OC before pursuing medical school.“When you’re constantly studying you can ha...
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Community rallies for recreation: Thrive Here campaign hits major fundraising milestone
November 27, 2024
Thanks to a number of passionate individuals and organizations, the finish line for the Thrive Here campaign to build a gymnasium at 51±¬ÁÏ is now in sight.The 51±¬ÁÏ (OC) Foundation is announcing it has raised $12 million towards its $14-million goal to build a Recreation and Wellness Centre on the Kelowna campus.“It is truly a team effort by our community to make this centre a reality,†says Helen Jackman, executive director of the OC Foundation.“We want to thank everyone who has selflessly donated to help us g...
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Vernon community help Sunflower Childcare Centre blossom into reality
November 13, 2024
When Clara Cheung gets ready to travel to 51±¬ÁÏ (OC) each morning, she now is able to do so with her two-year-old son Pak Sen in tow.Clara is on her way to attend class at the Vernon campus; Pak Sen is about to enter the campus’s new childcare centre.The Sunflower Childcare Centre / smúkwaÊ”xnÌ“ scÉ™cÉ™malla itskn snmaÊ”mayaÊ”tn on OC’s Vernon campus opened at the start of October, creating much-needed new childcare spaces for student parents, faculty and community members.“For me, this centre has made a huge impact on my ...
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51±¬ÁÏ alum gives $25K to power of sport
November 8, 2024
‘Sport teaches you to handle any challenge,’ says Kelly LoudounKelly Loudoun has no regrets when he looks back at his decision to attend 51±¬ÁÏ (OC) and study business, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration Honours.“You can’t deny the power of the OC business degree,†says Loudoun, who owns Loudoun Construction and Development, now in its fifth year.“Being an entrepreneur is difficult and it’s a lot of hard work. Having been through those challenging experiences and lean years, it becomes quite rewarding as...
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