The Penticton Hospital Auxiliary and the Gift Shop at Penticton Regional Hospital have pledged a combined $400,000 over five years to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation for its Patient Care Tower campaign.

The Auxiliary has agreed to donate $250,000 with a further $150,000 from the Gift Shop, located in the front lobby at PRH. They have become the latest donors for the Foundation’s $20-million fundraising campaign for medical equipment for the upcoming hospital expansion.
June Revell-Quevillon, president of the Auxiliary and Gift Shop, said the pledges reflect what the two organizations are all about.

“The mandate for both is patient comfort and care. Most of our funds go to medical equipment anyway, so it fits within that mandate,” she said.
Revell-Quevillon said it’s hoped the two pledges will help spur other groups, companies and individuals in the community to donate to the PRH campaign as well.
“It doesn’t have to be a big pledge. This is your hospital. You know you’re probably going to have to use this equipment at some point,” she said.
The Hospital Auxiliary has 26 members who generate funds through various fundraisers and The Care Closet thrift store at 574 Main St., Penticton. The hospital Gift Shop involves 30 volunteers, some of whom are also Auxiliary members.

“I think our members are quite excited to have a bigger goal,” Revell-Quevillon said. “It gives a little more incentive and a little more oomph.”
Janice Perrino, executive-director of the Medical Foundation, said she is delighted by the support shown by the two organizations.