Since 1969, The Bridge Youth and Family Services Society has worked to promote the development of healthy children and healthy families in our community through counselling, support and parenting education programs.
The Bridge also supports successful transitions to adulthood for vulnerable young people in the Central Okanagan. The Bridge is an accredited, registered non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors.
The Bridge has been providing Christmas hampers for its families for the past 15 years. This year's campaign co-ordinators are excited to provide 23 families with hampers. The success of our campaign is mainly due to our loyal Kelowna sponsors.
One of our longtime sponsors was able to sponsor three of our families this year due to generous donations from his employer and their staff; nine children and five parents will benefit from the care and compassion of this one sponsor.
The families who receive these hampers are often overwhelmed with emotion when they realize the level of attention and care that was given to fulfilling their needs. One of our longtime sponsors provides whole foods, organic turkeys, organic products, environmentally friendly cleaning agents and Christmas treats for 12 families.
The mother of one family was completely overcome with tears as she received her hamper.
She could not believe her good fortune, saying: "This is the best Christmas present ever!"
We are honoured to provide the Christmas hamper campaign to our families again this year.
Laura Cochrane, The Bridge Youth and Family Services