Hi! My name is Michelle. I’m the smile that greets walk-ins and the voice that answers the phone when people contact Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre. 

I’ve worked for Desert Sun for three years and, let me tell you, the amount of hidden need in our towns is incredible. From loneliness and isolation, to intimate partner violence, to not knowing how they’ll finding housing or put food on the table. A huge number of locals – your friends, your family, your neighbours – are suffering. I hope they’ll reach out for help, and I hope we’ll have the funds to provide the meaningful support they need. 

Please help us. 

We’re currently two weeks into our third annual Empty Bowls and Baskets online fundraiser (Nov. 1 to Dec. 15). As of late last week, we’d raised just over $3,900. We still have a long ways to go. Our goal is to raise $75,000, every dollar of which will go towards supporting underfunded programs in our community.

Some of the programs we hope to direct fundraised dollars toward include: 

  • Share the Spirit Gift Hamper program, which provides Christmas gifts to local families in need,
  • Men’s Shed program, which provides social connection and shared workshop space to local guys, 
  • Counselling programs, which desperately need additional funds to reduce wait times,
  • Safe Home program for women and children escaping violence and abuse. 

Last year, several local businesses added to the excitement of Desert Sun’s Empty Bowls and Baskets fundraising drive by offering donation matching of their own. Huge thanks to all who stepped up. We welcome anyone who is willing to help us inspire donations again this year. Please let us know how you’d like to be involved so we can support your fundraising efforts through social media and beyond. 

The Empty Bowls and Baskets fundraiser is on now until Dec. 15. Donors may choose whether they’d like to direct their funds to a specific Desert Sun program, or they can request that Desert Sun direct the funds to the area of greatest need. 

Funds can be: e-transferred to [email protected]; mailed to PO Box 1890, Oliver BC, V0H1T0; or dropped off at either the Oliver or Osoyoos Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre office. You can also donate via our website at desertsuncounselling.ca. Desert Sun will provide a charitable receipt for any contribution over $20. 

Thank you for helping us help others!

Michelle Bell, Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre