The Holiday Wishes 50/50 Raffle will help fund vital services such as subsidized home supports, recreation programs, and social services for seniors and care partners in the Central Okanagan.
Itâs sponsored by the Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre to support the nearly 2,000 seniors who sought help from the organization this year.
âThe affordability crisis has been hard on seniors living on a fixed income, especially older adults who rent and live alone,â said Ian Gerbrandt, executive director.
He pointed out the Centre meets seniors every week who are on the verge of losing their home because of the lack of affordable rental housing and inadequate public home supports. âWe do what we can to connect people with our discounted transportation, housekeeping, food, and social supports,â Gerbrandt explained.
The push for support comes as the B.C. Seniors Advocate released its Monitoring Seniors Services Report. âUnfortunately, despite government investment in seniorsâ services, we continue to fall behind meeting many basic needs,â said BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt.
He noted there is less home care, long-term care beds, rent subsidies, and subsidized seniors housing available today per population compared to five years ago. âThis is particularly worrisome when the seniorsâ population in B.C. has grown 45 per cent over the past 10 years and will continue to increase over the next decade.â
Seniors Outreach also offers social programs and visiting services. âSocial connections are vital for good health,â Gerbrandt added. âOne participant recently told me that our programs make âher life more colourful,â and she calls her volunteer companion âMy Gift.ââ
Tickets for the or in person at 155 Asher Road, in Âé¶čAV, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The deadline to purchase tickets is midnight on Dec. 19, with the prize draw set for Friday, Dec. 20. Last yearâs winner took home $7,000.
