"For the Special Olympic athletes, it's so much more than just sport for them — this is an opportunity for them to network, to surround themselves with like-minded people."

"We have a responsibility to maintain and preserve these items so that comes with a cost."

The Penticton location of the BC SPCA is only 3.2 kilometres away from the leading edge of the Christie Mountain wildfire. It's a little too close for comfort, and it's what has prompted the shelter's evacuation.

"We brought a lot of people out there they would shop in and amongst the community. It's a $6.2-million economic spin-off as a result of the I.P.E."

"We make sure they get up there comfortable safe and they experience something they otherwise wouldn't be able to do."

"This year is our first year doing it and we decided to do it in order to give back especially because the demand for the food bank and the kids help phone has been extreme this year."

'The danger is that we have to cut so much that by next spring we are really just so busy trying to recover.'

"In Kelowna, we haven't been able to do any events this year but it was pretty impressive at the virtual kick-off on Thursday night to see all the locals step up and to be able to still donate to the Burn Fund."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the food bank in Kelowna saw a 27-per cent increase in clients accessing their services.

"We could all be on that side of the table; it doesn't take much."