Over $170,000 Raised at Parade with a Purpose
KELOWNA, BC, December 9, 2025 – Community generosity was high as thousands of attendees joined Parade with a Purpose, donating $170,236 to youth mental health programs through the KGH Foundation. Saturday nights parade included 36 holiday floats that showcased flamethrowers, dance troupes, marching bands, Santa, a helicopter and electric train to name a few.
“We are truly overwhelmed with all the heartfelt feedback, gorgeous floats, community involvement, and the impressive amount raised,” shares founder Pam Turgeon. “There are hundreds of people behind the scenes who selflessly give their time to make this happen. We are grateful to all the sponsors and parade participants, especially Rite-way fencing, this year’s Parade with a Purpose title sponsor.”
All funds raised will support solutions to the region’s growing mental health crisis both in the hospital and in the community, through the KGH Foundation. Donations raised this year will help open up a new Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) satellite centre in West Kelowna, fund a second Integrated Health Outreach Team (IHOT) Mobile Clinic Van to deliver care directly to vulnerable individuals, and advance Georgia’s Wish, creating safe spaces for conversation and greater access to mental health services for all.
“Our teams faces hurt from smiling all night, it was such a joyful and uplifting event to be a part of,” says Bettina Muller, Director of Philanthropy at the KGH Foundation. “And the festive cheer will continue to live on through the impact made in vital proactive mental health initiatives. We are truly grateful to our community for supporting Parade with a Purpose, and especially to Pam, Shadia, and all who donated to this inspiring fundraising event.”
The parade was founded by mental health advocates, and mother daughter duo, Pam Turgeon and Shadia Doty, five years ago. The duo started Parade with a Purpose as a three-float neighbourhood parade and have grown it to become one of Kelowna’s largest holiday fundraising community events, taking place downtown and drawing thousands of onlookers.
“Seeing everyone show up with so much heart strengthened my commitment to serving youth mental health, it felt like the kind of magic only community can create,” says founder Shadia Doty. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Clint Doty and the entire CSD Mechanical team. Since the beginning, they have carried the weight of the parade’s logistics — the equipment, the planning, the coordination, and the hands-on support that keep this event running smoothly and safely. Their generosity and dedication are the backbone of Parade with a Purpose.”
Since 1978, the KGH Foundation has worked with a generous community to raise funds to support world-class healthcare close to home for a growing and diverse population in the interior of B.C. Today, the KGH Foundation is the lead fundraising organization for Kelowna General Hospital, JoeAnna’s House, and Central Okanagan Hospice House, while also fundraising for vital community health care programs
Media Contact:
Pam Turgeon
Founder of Parade for a Purpose
t | 780-233-9640
e| pamturg62@gmail.com
Shadia Doty
Founder of Parade for a Purpose
t | 250-575-5096
e| shadiadoty@shaw.ca
Jessie Billey
Marketing and Communications Manager
KGH Foundation
t | 250-862-4300 x 27270
e| Jessie.Billey@interiorhealth.ca
