The spirit of giving shone brightly in Kelowna this past holiday season as the community rallied together to support families facing some of their most challenging moments. JoeAnna's House, a cherished local facility that provides a home-away-from-home for families while their loved ones receive hospital care, celebrated a milestone achievement with their inaugural Winter Wonderland Wish List campaign, raising an impressive $76,000.

What started as a single-day fundraiser in 2024 blossomed into a month-long celebration of community care from November 20 to December 20, 2025. The expanded timeline allowed more people to participate and made an even bigger impact for families in need.

The campaign's success came from a beautiful collaboration between JoeAnna's House and 19 local businesses who created innovative "give-back" initiatives. These partnerships were thoughtfully designed with both families' budgets and local businesses in mind. Shops and cafes across Kelowna offered various ways to contribute, from donation-per-purchase programs to percentage givebacks and creative in-store initiatives that made giving both easy and fun.

Carly Reuter, director of community engagement for JoeAnna's House, captured the heart of the campaign perfectly. "This was about more than fundraising," she shared warmly. "It was about community, care and finding new ways to show up for one another and for that, we are incredibly thankful."

The campaign also added an element of excitement with lucky draw prizes. Kelowna resident Sam Nasr discovered the joy of giving comes full circle when he won round trip tickets for two from WestJet while shopping at Deville Coffee, one of the participating businesses. A $700 prize was also up for grabs, creating additional incentives that drew even more community members to support the cause while enjoying their favorite local spots.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of this fundraiser extends far beyond the impressive dollar amount. Every contribution helps JoeAnna's House provide comfort and stability to families during emotionally taxing times. When a loved one requires extended hospital care, having a warm, welcoming place to stay nearby can make all the difference. It means parents can be close to their sick child, spouses can support one another, and families can stay together during medical crises without the added stress of finding and affording accommodation.

The overwhelming success of this inaugural month-long campaign has already secured its place on next year's calendar. The Winter Wonderland Wish List will return for the 2026 holiday season, giving businesses and community members another opportunity to spread joy and support families in need.

Businesses interested in joining next year's initiative or individuals wanting to learn more about the program can visit JoeAnna's House online. This heartwarming display of community spirit proves that when neighbors support neighbors, incredible things happen. Kelowna has shown that the season of giving can create lasting warmth that extends far beyond the holidays.