Charity softball tournament supports BGC Okanagan youth centre
BGC Okanagan CEO, Jeremy Welder, with the organizers of a charity softball tournament. Proceeds were donated to BGC Okanagan to support the Downtown Youth Centre in Kelowna, B.C. (Photo courtesy of Kayla Bowie Creative)
Kelowna’s bars and restaurants met on the Mission Recreation Park softball complex in Kelowna on Saturday, April 29 for the first-ever Battle of the Bars Slo-Pitch Tournament. They raised almost $2,000 which was donated to BGC Okanagan to support the Downtown Youth Centre.
Kevin McBurnie, an employee at the Cactus Club Cafe and Ayla Buckberry, an employee at King Taps, formed the idea to bring together fellow restaurant industry staff for a day of friendly competition while supporting a cause that is close to their hearts. Ayla is graduating this year from UBCO with a degree in Sociology, and a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and her passion for community support and development led her to reaching out to McBurnie to organize the event.
The King Taps employees take team picture. (Photo courtesy of Kayla Bowie Creative)
Donation to support Downtown Youth Centre
McBurnie is training to become a professional firefighter and volunteers his time at the BGC Okanagan – Downtown Youth Centre where programs and services help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental health, leadership and more. Buckberry reached out to him with the idea for a fund-raising tournament, the event snowballed into what was an incredible day for the community, while also giving back and supporting youth who face many barriers within the Okanagan.
“While growing up several of my friends faced barriers preventing them from receiving support in their lives and this has inspired me to give back to BGC Okanagan,” said McBurnie of why they choose BGC Okanagan to donate to. “Our hope is to raise awareness surrounding the great work and services our Downtown Youth Centre and shelter offers to our community and hope to receive financial support from our community to help keep a great cause going.”
A King Taps softball player at the charity event, with proceeds going to BGC Okanagan, celebrates after catching the ball. (Photo courtesy of Kayla Bowie Creative)
(Photo courtesy of Kayla Bowie Creative)