Last month, thousands of smiling faces watched in awe as over 20 elaborate floats full of lights and holiday characters passed through Kettle Valley to celebrate Kettle Valley Pub on Main’s 3^rd annual Parade with a Purpose. 

Not only was it the most festive night of the year, the parade had a much larger goal: to raise $50,000 to help us build Youth Recovery House Phase II, a place of solace, healing and recovery for young people experiencing problematic substance use in the community.

The parade was started by Pam Turgeon and her family in an effort to bring some holiday cheer to the Kettle Valley community during Covid in 2020. It was a humble start with just three floats and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.

Last year, Pam took it to a new level by adding a charitable component, raising $14,000 for the Phase II Youth Recovery House campaign by collecting donations and allowing businesses to participate for a sponsorship fee.

Pam and her family have a special connection to the Youth Recovery House campaign, having lost her son Ryan to a toxic drug poisoning in 2016. “We need supports like this in our community so that no other family has to experience the kind of loss that we have”, says Turgeon.

With Pam’s unwavering ambition, along with the help of generous individuals and community partners, the Kettle Valley Santa Parade with a Purpose remarkably smashed their initial goal and raised over $60,000.

With the continued support of the Turgeon family, the amazing sponsors, volunteers and donors of the Parade with a Purpose, we are one-step closer to creating a purpose-built, nature-based facility that will be a legacy in our community for years to come.

The Youth Recovery House will create conditions for residents to embark on a process of change, which will improve their health and well-being, their ability to direct their own lives and inspire them to reach their potential.

Learn more about Youth Recovery House Phase II and how you can help at youthrecoveryhouse.ca.