KELOWNA, BC, November 21, 2025 – A favorite holiday tradition, Parade with a Purpose presented by Rite-Way Fencing, is set to light up Downtown Kelowna from 6:00-7:30 pm on Saturday, December 6. The parade began as a small neighbourhood initiative created by mental-health advocates and mother-daughter team Pam Turgeon and Shadia Doty. In five short years, the duo has grown the parade from just three floats into a 30+ float community celebration that now draws thousands and has raised over $700,000 for mental-health care.

“This event means so much to our family,” shares founder Shadia Doty. “Supporting mental health is deeply personal for us, and bringing the community together in such a joyful way reminds us of the true spirit of the season.”

This year, a partnership with the KGH Foundation will expand the parade’s impact. All funds raised will help the Foundation continue to support innovative, collaborative, and upstream solutions to the region’s growing mental health crisis both in the hospital and in the community.

“Parade with a Purpose will be vital in helping us provide programs that prevent youth from slipping through the cracks,” says Bettina Muller, Director of Philanthropy at the KGH Foundation. “We’re grateful to Pam, Shadia, and every sponsor and supporter for helping us bring mental health care closer to home.”

Rite-Way Fencing, the event’s title sponsor, is helping elevate the parade’s reach and impact even further.

“We are honoured to support such a joyful community event that keeps growing in scope and in impact,” shares Scott Ruzesky of Rite-Way Fencing. “The holidays are such a special time to bring people together and to help those who are struggling. We saw this as the perfect opportunity to support an event that does both!”

The mission behind the parade is rooted in Pam and Shadia’s own lived experience with loss. Pam’s son and Shadia’s brother, Ryan, passed away from overdose, and Shadia’s husband, Cody, from mental-health and addiction challenges. The parade was created in their honour, transforming grief into a powerful movement of compassion and connection.

“We’re endlessly grateful to everyone who donates, attends, sponsors, and participates,” says founder Pam Turgeon. “Seeing this event grow each year is heartwarming, Ryan and Cody would be so proud.”

The community is invited to gather for Parade with a Purpose on December 6 at 6 p.m., and to support youth mental health through the online auction, now live.

To view event details, learn more about the events history, make a donation, and participate in the online auction, visit www.kghfoundation.com/parade-with-a-purpose/.

View last years event video here.