Father’s Day has extra special meaning for men who are living or have lived at Discovery House.
“Returning fathers to children and sons to families” is Discovery’s mandate and is something they do many times over each year so the annual day of celebration for dad has a little extra special meaning to them.
The men’s addiction treatment facility’s annual Family Fun on Father’s Day at Skaha Lake Park is a time for the entire community to support and enjoy the work being done there.
“We’re just glad to get it out in the community,” said Discovery executive director Jerome Abraham. “The other side of this is that those attending the event get to see some people in recovery. I know there is still that stigma out there that addiction and addiction treatment and housing for people with addictions and mental health and so whether it’s some of the games or road hockey they get to see people with an illness who are just trying to get better.”
Related: Discovery House Father’s Day
Along with the road hockey, hopefully this year involving some of the Okanagan Hockey Academy players, the pirate-themed event includes the always popular dunk tank, pirate games and craft table for kids.
According to Abraham, Discovery clients and staff used to help with the annual Children’s Festival until it folded and he hopes that this event could one day fill that niche.
Other activities include music and dance, bouncy castle, a race car from the Penticton Speedway and a truck from the Penticton Fire Department.
There will also be a community barbecue. All events are by donation.
“This is probably our third largest fundraiser of the year and it provide a big chunk of funding to at least provide one bed a year,” said Abraham. “This money will go to help people who would not otherwise be able to afford long term treatment.”
Currently Discovery operates two facilities a 13-bed house on Winnipeg Street and a five-bed facility on Wade Avenue.
The celebration on Father’s Day (June 17) goes from noon to 3 p.m. and to volunteer or for more information call 250-462-1388.
