What a night—thank you for being part of CFNO’s 50th
Dear friends,
With heartfelt thanks, we want to express our deepest appreciation to everyone who joined us for our 50th Anniversary Celebration on November 25. Sharing that milestone evening with nearly 200 community members was truly unforgettable.
From the moment guests arrived, greeted by Gladys and Kimberly at the welcome tables, to the final conversations over shared plates and wine, the room was filled with warmth, connection, and a deep sense of pride in what this community has built together over five decades.
We were honoured to begin with a Territory Acknowledgement and welcome from Elder Mari Louis of the Okanagan Indian Band, grounding the evening in gratitude and respect. A sincere thank you as well to Kelly Terbasket, whose participatory community-building exercise reminded us just how powerful collective leadership can be.
Our journey through 50 years of impact was made even more special by the reflections of past Board Chairs Gail Hamilton, Mike Tindall, Herb Wong, and Anne Clarke, whose stories brought our shared history vividly to life. We were also deeply moved by the beautiful performance of Little Red Riding Hood by OKIB students under the direction of Alysha Mihalcheon, a joyful reminder of the next generation we are all investing in.
A special thank you as well to Andrew Chunilall, CEO of Community Foundations of Canada, for helping us look ahead with hope and confidence at the future of community philanthropy across the country.
We are also incredibly grateful to the Prestige Vernon Hotel team, the Chef and Sommelier who curated such a wonderful culinary experience, and to all of our community partners, sponsors, volunteers, and staff who worked behind the scenes to make the evening so seamless.
One of the most exciting moments of the night was the introduction of our new Impact Fund, created to help CFNO respond flexibly to emerging community needs in the years ahead. If the evening inspired you and you’d like to learn more about this new fund, you can do so here: www.cfno.org/impact-fund
Most of all, thank you for being part of this remarkable community. Whether you have been with us for decades or joined us more recently, you are part of the legacy that has shaped 50 years of local generosity, care, and impact, and the future that lies ahead.
With thanks from all of us at Community Foundation North Okanagan.
