Central Okanagan Hospice fundraiser event to see RCMP lend a hand

KELOWNA, B.C. – Valoree Cocar has been touched by the care and compassion she has witnessed through the Central Okanagan Hospice Association (COHA).

It’s a foundation that works hard to give to Kelowna. It’s the place where people can go in their last days. – Valoree Cocar

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The Kelowna woman helped raised money for COHA in 2015, leading up to competing in the annual Swinging with the Stars event for the charity.

Last year’s Viva Glam raised $28,000 for COHA.

“It was a spectacular event,” says Nica Graziotto, Cocar’s former fundraising manager and now the doing the work full time for COHA as Associate Director of Events and Business Development. “To see women walk in and be greeted with a glass of champagne, and a beautiful long stem, red rose, then to be escorted into the venue and brought to their table, you felt like royalty.”

Groups that participated in the evening, including Kelowna RCMP members, urged the ladies to bring back the event to raise money for the charity in 2016.

“To realize that these folks were doing it again was absolutely magical for us,” says Susan Steen, COHA Executive Director. “The money goes towards training our volunteers to offer compassionate care support to those who are facing the end of life. Whether they are in the hospice house, or in their homes, or in long term care facilities, or at the hospital.”

COHA relies on more than 350 volunteers.

“To be able to have the care that you get there, I’ve had some experience with it and I think it can reach anybody in Kelowna,” says Cocar of Central Okanagan Hospice. “And I think that’s why it’s reached my heart. It’s not just for one or two special people, it’s for everybody.”

Viva Glam takes place at the Laurel Packinghouse in Kelowna January 29 at 5:30 p.m. Ticket information can be found on the COHA website or by calling 250-763-5511