A Penticton business has stepped up to lead a donation-matching campaign throughout March in support of the Okanagan Similkameen Neurological Society (OSNS) Child and Youth Development Centre.
Pacific Rim Equipment will match donations of up to $5,000 all month. Funds will go toward the Penticton child centre's Legacy Foundation, a program dedicated to ensuring kids with developmental challenges across the region get specialized care "today, tomorrow, and for generations to come," OSNS said.
The centre's month-long campaign comes as one of its family opens up about their experiences with OSNS.
Mia and Isaac Goodyear say watching their son, Clark, progress from being completely non-verbal to talking to them while making eye contact has been "life-changing."
鈥淔rom our very first conversation, the team at OSNS did everything they could to provide support," said the parents. "They helped us explore options for attendance, and it felt like we had finally found the right place for Clark to thrive."
The Goodyear family 鈥� Mia, Isaac, Clark, and Hazel 鈥� are originally from Alberta.
After their journey took them from their home province to California, the family eventually made it back to Canada where they found OSNS in Penticton.
That's when Clark began using the centre's speech-language pathology services.
鈥淲e鈥檝e witnessed him express himself more openly, engage in new ways, and develop skills we once questioned if he would ever access," Clark's parents said.
鈥淥SNS has given Clark the tools, support, and safe space he needed to break through barriers, and we are forever grateful for the impact they鈥檝e had on our family鈥檚 journey."
The local child centre has been helping children and youth with developmental support needs since 1978.
Donations to its March campaign can be made
People can also visit the centre at 103-550 Carmi Ave. to donate.
"This March, all donations will go directly to the OSNS Legacy Foundation 鈥� an essential fund created to secure the future of OSNS programs and services," the centre said in a press release. "By making a contribution, you will help ensure that children like Clark continue to receive the life-changing care they need for years to come."
