A fundraising auction at Guerards’ Fine Furniture store went better than expected.
“I was really pleased with how much was raised and how supportive the community was,” said owner Trevor Guerard. “We had people coming in from all over the Okanagan. We had bids from as far as Vancouver.”
Guerards’ Fine Furniture – a fixture in downtown Penticton for over 70 years – stepped up in support of Pathways Addiction Resource Centre, a centre that has a special connection for the Guerards but also is an ‘amazing service for the community.’
Guerard auctioned off two leather, power reclining chairs worth $2,999 each, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to Pathways.
The winning bid came in just under $5,000 for both chairs, with Penticton resident Dianna Bright making the winning bid and taking home the luxury seating.
Guerard topped up the fundraising amount to an even $5,000 and dropped off the cheque to Pathways executive director Daryl Meyers this week.
“I’m so glad we were able to support Pathways which does so much for our community,” said Guerard.
“I like the fact that Pathways isn’t full of administrators. They work on a modest budget and get good value for your return. All of their funds go directly into the services they provide.”
Pathways chair Sherry Ure wrote a letter to the editor asking people to support Pathways by fundraising so they can continue to offer the addictions services in South Okanagan. The decision to defund them won’t be reversed, she said.
An online auction supporting Pathways has also gotten underway on Facebook. Already numerous items are up for auction including gift certificates and pottery to pies and skincare products.
Interior Health will stop funding Pathways on May 31. They have indicated that they want to bring Pathways clients’ to their services, but not all clients will want to go, pointed out several family members whose loved ones are clients.
Since IH said they were defunding Pathways, protests have been growing every Sunday and there are petitions against the decision. Nearly every community leader and local politician has also come out against IH’s decision.
READ MORE: Downtown Penticton furniture store backs Pathways with auction
READ LETTER: Time for fundraising, not fighting IH decision, says Pathways chair
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