It’s hard to believe we are already in April and that nine months have passed since we gathered for the Once in a Blue Moon® Event. We still talk about the evening and its significance almost daily here at the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC). With that in mind, I thought it would be nice to personally share some exciting outcomes and updates of your extraordinary collective impact.
Since we gathered last July, the CYAC has received over 147 new referrals—an average of four new cases of abuse or neglect every week. Behind each of these referrals is a child or youth in urgent need of care, supported by a dedicated team delivering trauma-informed, wraparound services that often extend for months—or even years. That care also reaches siblings and safe caregivers who are deeply affected by these crimes. Because of your support, young survivors and their families are finding their path to healing, guided by a team that never gives up.
At the same time, your collective impact is being recognized and celebrated in some truly remarkable ways. We’re thrilled to share that Once in a Blue Moon® has been named a Finalist for Best Large-Scale Fundraising Event at the 2025 Canadian Event Awards, alongside our friends at the KGH Foundation, who are Finalists for their Heart of Gold Gala. This is a proud moment for our entire community, now being recognized on a national stage for the philanthropic spirit that makes it so special, and a testament to the generosity, heart, and dedication of everyone who made our evening so extraordinary—you, our sponsors, guests, volunteers.
Such recognition would not have been possible without the generosity and hospitality of Dennis O'Rourke and his family, whose O'Rourke Family Estate Winery provided the perfect setting for an event filled with purpose, connection, and lasting impact.
A very special thank you goes out to Rhonda Hymers, Senior Portfolio Manager with RBC Dominion Securities Inc., whose remarkable vision and courage brought Once in a Blue Moon® to life. It takes bold leadership to step forward with an idea so powerful—and Rhonda did just that, creating an unforgettable evening that not only inspired but also shone a vital light on the work of the CYAC and the vulnerable children we serve.
In recognition of her extraordinary philanthropic contributions, we were proud to nominate Rhonda for Kelowna’s 50th Annual Civic & Community Awards—and are thrilled to share that she has been named a Finalist for Citizen of the Year. Additionally, RBC Dominion Securities has been recognized as a Finalist for Corporate Citizen of the Year, highlighting the incredible corporate culture that Rhonda helps lead, which is so deeply committed to giving back to the community.
We simply could not do what we do without champions like Rhonda and all of you in our corner. This summer, as we mark the one-year anniversary of Once in a Blue Moon®, we look forward to sharing a deeper update on how your generosity continues to transform lives. On behalf of the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre of Kelowna, thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to celebrating these achievements with you—and continuing to make a meaningful difference, together.
To learn more about the 2024 Once in a Blue Moon Charity event, click here
With gratitude,
Ginny Becker (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
