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New tree signals start of VJH Light a Bulb campaign

When you look atop Vernon Jubilee Hospital this holiday season you’ll notice something beautiful and bright. A brand new tree has been designed and installed by Black & McDonald, the hospital’s facility services provider and it’s a delight to behold.
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Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation is holding a Light a Bulb campaign colouring contest for kids. (VJHF pic)

When you look atop Vernon Jubilee Hospital this holiday season you’ll notice something beautiful and bright. A brand new tree has been designed and installed by Black & McDonald, the hospital’s facility services provider and it’s a delight to behold.

The new tree, featuring a bright white heart at the top, is a nod to the beloved white heart installed on the hospital roof at the outset of COVID-19, while keeping to the tradition of lighting a tree at the hospital for the annual Light a Bulb campaign.

“We’re grateful for the ingenuity and continuous support from the ‘Black & Mac’ team,” said Kate McBrearty, VJH Foundation executive director. “The new tree is not only a tribute to our healthcare and support staff who continue to work tirelessly, it also serves as a sincere thank you to our generous North Okanagan residents who support our holiday campaign year-after-year. It shines a bright light on our community.”

Donations to the Light a Bulb campaign are starting to trickle in, with all funds raised going towards the purchase of two new ventilators and other urgently needed equipment in the hospital.

Early support for the campaign has included donations from the wonderful Desert Cove Homeowners Association who collect recyclables and give back to the hospital each year, raising more than $5,000 this year. In addition, the Armstrong Spallumcheen Healthcare Auxiliary is donating an amazing $25,000, helping to kick off the campaign with a substantial impact.

“We’re incredibly grateful for these generous contributions. What also inspires us are the supporters who make gifts of $35, $50, $100 and more, every year. They see that the center of a healthy community is its hospital,” said Michael Kinghorn, VJH Foundation president and 2021 Light a Bulb campaign chair. “These new ventilators will be a welcome addition to the Respiratory Therapy Department, helping residents of the North Okanagan breathe a little easier in the coming years.

“Every gift, great or small, brings us closer to raising $275,000 for critical equipment at VJH.”

This year, the community is again invited to participate in a variety of ways, including completing submissions for the Light a Bulb colouring contest. Forms can be downloaded from the foundation website, Facebook and Instagram pages. Creative masterpieces must be submitted no later than Dec. 19 for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to a local store of the winner’s choice.

Donations to Light a Bulb can be made online at www.vjhfoundation.org/donate, via phone at 250-558-1362, or mailed to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, 2101 – 32nd Street Vernon BC V1T 5L2.

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