Motorists line up for the United Way

A traffic jam clogged the streets of Kelowna Thursday morning, but it was all for a very good cause.

“I’m here for breakfast and to help the United Way,” said one man.

“They give to a lot of different areas so I really believe in what they do,” one woman said.

Fire trucks, postal trucks, motorcycles, bikes and even wheelchairs patiently lined up for the annual United Way Drive-Thru breakfast in the parking lot of the Ramada Hotel at the corner of

Harvey Avenue and Cooper Road.

Volunteers handed out goody bags, which were filled with snacks, drinks and coupons.

Event organizer Maxine DeHart estimated the bags were worth about $150.

By mid-morning, DeHart said the campaign handed out 1,500 bags and raised about $30,000.

“The United Way has 30 agencies so we divide it equally,” DeHart said. “Every cent stays in the community, not one cent leaves this community.”

Organizers were initially worried the drive-thru would have to be cancelled because the HOV lane on Harvey Avenue couldn’t be secured for use from the provincial government.

But DeHart said assistance from the City of Kelowna and the RCMP diverted traffic to Enterprise Way.