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Vernon Yacht Club’s
annual sailing regatta June 2-4

2023 Okanagan Charity Regatta

#sailingforfullerplatesandhearts 

Why a Charity Regatta?

Over the past three years, approximately one in seven BC households have had difficulty accessing adequate and nutritious food. BC’s United Ways and Community Foundations quickly increased their capacity to support access to food for our communities. In some communities the need arose due to the consequences of fires and floods and overall due to shutdowns and rising costs. People lost homes, livelihoods and are continuing to face increased costs to live.

For some of the beneficiery organizations, the demand for food has increased 400 percent in the past three years with no sign of slowing. Many organizations have had to adapt their services and programs to meet this demand. The need continues to grow and the stability of these programs is essential to build strong and healthy communities.

The Vernon Yacht Club ran the Okanagan Charity Regatta for ten years started by Dave Ellis. This regatta was the largest local fundraiser for United Way during that time. We’re back to sail for fuller plates and hearts and raise funds for our communities! Join us by sharing our campaign, through sponsorship or by donating. Every bit counts, thank you for making a difference! 

“We are absolutely delighted that Vernon Yacht Club has chosen to split the proceeds from their event between Community Foundation North Okanagan and United Way as we work together to take on food security issues. Community Foundations are all about shared leadership, partnership for social good, and recognizing the challenges so many in our communities are up against. No one should have to choose between paying their rent and feeding their children!”

Leanne Hammond
Executive Director,
Community Foundation North Okanagan

“United Way BC is deeply grateful to the Vernon Yacht Club and the amazing North Okanagan community for this incredible support. We’re also honored to share the proceeds with our long-time partner, the Community Foundation North Okanagan. You’re helping us address challenges within the emergency food sector in the region through our food security initiatives. Together we can strengthen vital connections among local residents from Revelstoke and Salmon Arm to Central and South Okanagan – building stronger, healthier communities.”

Jeremy Lugowy
Campaign Manager
United Way BC, Southern Interior

SPONSOR AND DONOR FUNDS RAISED BY THE OKANAGAN CHARITY REGATTA GO TO THESE 2 CHARITIES IN SUPPORT OF ALL THE LOCAL FOOD PROGRAMS THEY HELP FUND: 

100% of regatta funds stay local to our region


From Revelstoke and Salmon Arm to Central and South Okanagan, t
he United Way BC (UWBC) and Community Foundation North Okanagan (CFNO) charities support and work with these organizations to feed our communities:

  • UWBC Community Food Hubs
  • CFNO Better Together Program
  • The Good Food Box Society
  • North Okanagan Land to Table Network
  • Salvation Army Vernon – House of Hope Foodbank
  • North Okanagan Family and Youth Services
  • Okanagan Indian Band
  • White Valley Community Resource Centre
  • Canadian Mental Health Association
  • 60+ Food Boxes
  • UWBC Schools Out Programs
  • Nexus BC
  • Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan
  • Food Action Society
  • First Nations Friendship Centre
  • Canadian Mental Health Association South Okanagan Similkameen
  • Central Okanagan Food Bank
  • Central Okanagan Region Nutrition Society (Meals on Wheels)
  • Hope for the Nations – Food for Thought
  • Karis Support Society
    …and many more.

North Okanagan LAND TO TABLE network

Land to Table is building a more resilient food system in the Okanagan and is one of 18 United Way Food Hub’s in BC.

WHITE VALLEY community resource centre

White Valley runs a food production and learn to cook program with grade 7&8 students where they in turn teach their families to cook.

The Good Food Box Society

The Good Food Box Program works directly with farms to give fruits and vegetables to people and agencies working with people who are least able to access healthy food.

Okanagan Indian Band

Land to Table partners with Okanagan Indian Band to assess need, secure additional resources, launch new programs, and strengthen their volunteer networks. 

Donations to Charity 

Your sponsorship and donation dollars go to local food programs and organizations helping those who need it most.   The Okanagan Charity Regatta Event is fundraising to bring awareness and support to the many organizations working hard to fill the increased shortages and need in our community.  Your sponsorship dollars and donations will be divided equally between local United Way B.C. and Community Foundation N.O. in support of programs in your region working​ hard to provide adequate and nutritious food in your community.

 Thank you to the 
June 2-4, 2023 Okanagan Charity Regatta Sailboat Sponsors in Support of Food Security in our Region! 

Weekly Coed Sailboat Racing on Okanagan Lake with colourful spinnakers

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Thank You to our Sponsors!

Thank You to our Sponsors!

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While sailing and raising funds for local food security, it is important that we take time to reflect on the traditional peoples’ presence on these lands.  Whereas Europeans arrived a mere 200 years ago, Indigenous Peoples are understood to have inhabited the Okanagan Valley for 10,000 years.  The Sylix people have a deep kinship with the local waters.  While the lake foreshore and tributary creeks provide spawning grounds for fish, the water resources from uplands to the lake are critical to this valley being ‘home’ – providing for drinking water, habitat for food supply, transportation, spiritual and social activities.  As participants in the Okanagan Charity Regatta, we acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Sylix, and pledge to respect and care for the land and water on which we live and play.