By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The campaign to support the South Okanagan General Hospital is set to get a dose of elegance with a black-tie Winter Gala and Auction later this month.
The event is taking over the spot of the Rotary Club of Osoyoos’ gala that honours first responders each year.
Current club President, Valerie Rasmussen, told the Times Chronicle that first responders had suggested moving the event to every two years as it was sometimes difficult to get enough people to attend while still providing coverage in the community.
The idea then crystalized of hosting a black-tie gala and auction in support of the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation (SOS Medical Foundation). And for this event the Osoyoos Rotarians have partnered with their counterparts, the Rotary Club of Oliver.
“We are collaborating with the Oliver Rotary Club and when we started talking about what sort of things we could do together this came up as an excellent idea in support of the South Okanagan General Hospital.”
She adds that the event is being held in Osoyoos at Spirit Ridge by Hyatt because it’s really the only suitable venue for such an event and they already had the booking for the first responder event.
Rasmussen said the response has been overwhelming with tickets only being promoted after New Year’s with 16 tables selling out in about a week leading them to add another four tables of which one and half have already sold earlier this week.
The event will feature a sit-down dinner created by Spirit Ridge, local wines, both a silent and live auction, “wish list” items for smaller direct donations and keynote speaker Martin Johansen, Mayor of Oliver who has been a key driver of moves to keep the hospital thriving. A DJ and dancing will help round out the night.
Rasmussen said local businesses have been very generous in their donations for the auctions with some exciting packages up for grabs but she’s tight-lipped on the details. She also noted that Canadian Tire has come onboard as “Title Sponsor” of the event. “We’re pretty excited and it’s for a well-worth cause,” she added.
Ian Lindsay, CEO of SOS Medical Foundation said the gala idea is “just fantastic!” adding, “this whole campaign was built on community roots and the Rotary Clubs of Oliver and Osoyoos joining forces to create better healthcare, it’s just just everything we wanted and hoped for.”
Lindsay says the $2 million South Okanagan General Hospital campaign is going great with $500,000 raised in the short period of time since the campaign started in late-Sept. 2025.
He also notes that aside from the large donations there is also a large number of smaller donations coming in, like $20, which highlights just how important this campaign is to everyone in the local communities.
This is despite the uncertain economic times which is having an impact on organizations across the country that rely on donations. Lindsay feels there is a sentiment that “healthcare can’t wait”. He adds: “I think the people see that and they’re coming to support in droves.”
“We’re just so thrilled that it seems like people are really excited to keep the ER open and make those renovations to the hospital. We’re thrilled with the turnout, the support, and for this event, specifically the gala we’re just so happy Rotary picked us,” he said.
“We thought coming out of the Christmas holidays that it might slow down for us, and then when they announced this, it was just fantastic to keep the momentum going.”
The event is on Saturday, January 24 at Spirit Ridge by Hyatt. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person or $900 per table. Book online at rotarygala.sosmedicalfoundation.com.
