Story by Nancy Wells | KGH Foundation Employee for 18 incredible and impactful years

This past December, Rutland Thrift closed its doors. For more than sixty years, the store served as a central hub of friendship and tradition in one of Kelowna’s oldest neighbourhoods. For 15 years, I had the privilege of leading the store’s operations and facilitating the volunteer program on behalf of the KGH Foundation. 

When I think about Rutland Thrift, I’m struck not only by what was accomplished, but by the spirit in which it was done. There was a time when volunteering was deeply woven into everyday life, a way of showing care for your neighbours and support for those in need. Rutland Thrift was built in that spirit. It reflected a shared understanding that strong communities are created through service. 

Rutland Thrift began in 1964, when the Rutland Auxiliary was established by a determined group of nine women who wanted to make a difference. Their enthusiasm quickly caught on, and before long, the Auxiliary was not only operating the thrift shop but also leading a range of community fundraising initiatives, from bake sales and sponsored teas to baseball game concessions and the 1968 Hospital Ball. All in support of KGH, the local hospital at the heart of the community.

Over the decades, the volunteer team continued to grow, as did the store, its fundraising efforts, and the collective impact of this dedicated group. Across four locations and more than two million volunteer hours, Rutland Thrift raised millions of dollars for KGH. These funds helped support essential equipment needs, including a CT scanner, cardiac monitors, warmers, and so much more. 

But for a team with so much heart, the vision extended beyond equipment alone. Rutland Thrift also provided clothing donations to the Emergency Department, offered vouchers for urgent care patients in need, created a youth volunteer program, award annual bursaries, and contributed to the establishment of the Uptown Rutland On-Call Safety Team, among many other initiatives. Each act of generosity reflected a simple belief — that caring for one another strengthens the whole community.

In the fall of 2025, the KGH Foundation sold the building that housed the store. It was an incredibly difficult decision, but the business was no longer financially sustainable. 

Rutland Thrift’s legacy will continue. Proceeds from the sale are being reinvested directly back into the Rutland community. A $100,000 grant is supporting the Rutland Community Clinic’s new Caring Space, a healing hub offering culturally informed programming, referrals, and case management. Another $100,000 grant will help purchase a new shuttle for the Seniors Outreach Society, providing older adults with safe, reliable transportation to health programs, helping them stay active, connected, and supported. 

The true hallmark of a great legacy is the community it builds and the sense of belonging it leaves behind. In this way, Rutland Thrift will forever be remembered for the connections it created, the stories it held, and the countless lives it touched along the way. 

For nearly two decades, Nancy Wells led the operation of Rutland Thrift and facilitated the volunteer program for the KGH Foundation.