Before Rodney and Gloria Lozinski travel to Coquitlam to work the phones at Variety’s Show of Hearts Telethon this weekend, they’ll be sure to pack their pirate costumes.
The Lozinskis have volunteered for Variety’s annual Boat for Hope event, which is also put on by Kelowna Yacht Club and the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club, for the last four years.
Every June, hundreds of local children with disabilities are taken out on Okanagan Lake for a morning of pirate adventure. KYC volunteers, dressed up as pirates, take the kids to five stationed, decorated sailboats to engage in a water fight and take booty.
“It’s just a feel good day,” said Rodney.
Gloria said she remembers one child in particular who was hesitant about the event at first, but ended up having the time of his life.
“He came off our boat and he was totally soaked and had this grin that stayed for the rest of the day,” said Gloria.
This Sunday Rodney and Gloria will be volunteering more of their time—and paying their own travel expenses—to answer phones for Variety – The Children’s Charity’s annual telethon.
“This is the first time our members have been invited to show up at the telethon,” said Shannon Gail, chair of this year’s Boat for Hope committee.
“It’s important for us to get the word out that Kelowna is represented at the telethon.”
Rodney and Gloria plan to wear their Boat for Hope pirate gear when they answer phones at the telethon Sunday.
“We’ll be sitting on the front stage, with two people from the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and two people from the Victoria Yacht Club. I don’t know if they’re dressing up, but we are,” said Rodney.
The Variety Show of Hearts Telethon takes place Jan. 25 and 26 on Global BC.
The Lozinskis will be taking calls from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday. To reach Rodney during that time, call: 604-549-7024; to reach Gloria, call 604-549-7025.
This year’s Boat for Hope event takes place June 21 and it will run off the new public pier.
Gail said there will be lots of room at this year’s event. Those who know of a child who might benefit from Boat for Hope can visit variety.bc.ca.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
