Parade with a Purpose
From Three Floats to a Six-Figure Impact
On a crisp December evening, Bernard Avenue transformed into something magical. Hundreds of families had bundled up, claiming their spots along the curb with eyes fixed down the street, waiting for the first sign of movement. Just after 6 pm, the lead float started forward and Kelowna’s fifth annual Parade with a Purpose, presented by Rite-Way Fencing, officially began.
Thirty-six floats filled the downtown core with music, movement, and holiday cheer. Marching bands and dance troupes brought rhythm to the street. Santa and the Grinch made their appearances. A holiday train chugged along. A helicopter, minions, firetrucks, and more, made their way down the procession.
Although Parade with a Purpose is now a grand production, with countless community members and organizations supporting its success, the event’s roots are humble. Founded five years ago by mother-daughter duo Pam Turgeon and Shadia Doty, the event began as a neighbourhood parade with just three floats. Their vision was to bring people together and use the joy of the season to raise funds for youth mental health services.
It was after the loss of Pam’s son and Shadia’s brother, Ryan, and Shadia’s husband, Cody, that the women were motivated to channel their grief into purpose.
There’s a gap that needs to be addressed when it comes to mental health. It’s our hope that by investing in youth mental health services, it will have a trickle-down effect, preventing tragedies before they occur.
Shadia Doty
And the Parade has had remarkable results, with the 2025 parade raising over $170,000 for mental health care initiatives in our community through the KGH Foundation. All proceeds from the parade with support tangible, local solutions including: the expansion of CMHA Kelowna Foundry services into West Kelowna; a second Integrated Health Outreach Team (IHOT) Mobile Clinic Van; and CMHA Kelowna’s Georgia’s Wish which creates safe spaces for open, compassionate conversations about mental health.
As the last float cleared Bernard Avenue, and the crowd dispersed, the impact of the evening was only just beginning. More than just a seasonal celebration, Parade with a Purpose represents the community choosing to invest in local mental health care. The funds raised will translate into expanded services, greater access, and meaningful support for people across our region. Long after the holiday season, the magic of the event will continue to show up where it matters most.
