Sunflower Impact Report

Sunflower Childcare Centre smúkwaʔxn scəcəmalla itskn snmaʔmayaʔtn onOkanaganCollege’sVernoncampusopenedinOctober2024, creatingmuch-needednewchildcarespacesfor studentparents,facultyandcommunity

Together,wearecreatinga supportivecampus environmentwhereboth childrenandparentshavethe spaceandresourcestogrow andsucceed Thank You!

Yourgeneroussupporthelped makeitpossibletoprovide accessible,high-quality childcaretostudentfamilies. Byremovingsignificant barrierstoeducation,youare empoweringparentstopursue theiracademicgoalswith confidence.

Seeds

ofanideabecomereality

Thankstothegenerosityofourdonors,theSunflowerChildcareCentreoffersa nurturingandenrichingenvironmentwhereourcommunity’syoungest memberscangrowandthrive Morethanjustgoodnewsforparents,theCentre standsasashiningexampleofwhatcommunityandcollaborationcan achieve,transformingaseedofanideaintoavibrantreality

NestledonthebeautifulOkanaganCollegeVernonCampus,theSunflowerChildcareCentre enjoysastunninglakesidelocationthatcreatesan inspiringandsereneenvironmentforchildren.This picturesquesettingenhancestheCentre’s thoughtfullydesignedoutdoorplayareas, encouragingexploration,creativityandconnection withnature.

Thecentreisoperatedbyahighlyrespectedlocal non-profitorganization,MavenLane,whose expertiseandcommitmenttoqualityarereflected intheirprograms,whichareledbyhighlyqualified anddedicatededucatorsensuringanexceptional learningenvironmentforeverychild

Thecentreoffersearlychildhoodcareand education,including:

32spacesforchildrenaged3to5years 12spacesforinfantsandtoddlers expansiveoutdoorplayareasdesignedto stimulatephysicalactivityandsocial interaction uniqueconnectiontotheIndigenousgarden, fosteringculturalawarenessandrespectfor theland

Parentscanfeelconfidentandfocusontheir studies,knowingthattheirchildrenarewellcared for.

ThecentrehasalsobeenhelpingfutureEarly ChildhoodEducatorsbyhostingsixpracticum studentssinceopeninginOctober2024 In September2025,12additionalOkanaganCollege studentswillbenefitfromthisconvenientoncampuschildcare,alleviatingasignificantbarrier totheireducationalpursuits

Helpingstudentsandfamilies

StudentparentslikeSabinaParchment-Cooper,motherofafour-year-oldboy,a gratefultothecommunityforsupportingchildcarefortheirkids

“Itfeelsgoodknowingthecommunityisbehindus,”shesays.“Asaparent,Ilove gettogotoschoolwithKarim. “

ClaraCheungtravelstoOkanaganCollegeeverymorningtowork towardsherEarlyChildhoodEducationdiploma.Now,shecandosowith hertwo-year-oldson,PakSen,intow.

“ThisCentrehasmadeahugeimpactonmylife.Wedon’thaveacar, sohavingmysonattendadaycareoncampushasbeenahugehelp.”

“Weconsistentlyhearfromstudentparentsontourshowgratefultheyarefortheconvenienceand peaceofmindofhavingtheirchildrennearby.”

~KimberlyRein,TeamLeadSunflower,MavenLane

167 donors

$1.15M raised

44 spaces

Strong roots and

big hearts

Campaign Fundraising Committee

Michael Tindall, Chair

Sue Beaudry

Kelly Chapman

Lloyd Davies

Gladys Fraser

Kimberly Gilhooly

Jim Hamilton

Rob Phare

Hollie Henderson

Mandy Humphrey

Helen Jackman

Sasha Carter

Samantha Blandon

Leadership Donors ($500,000+)

Lloyd Davies and Janet Armstrong

“We know the benefits of quality early childhood education for young children. We couldn’t have done this without the inspiring support from the community”

$25,000 to $99,999

Foord Family Foundation

With the big hearts and support of individual donors, organizations, volunteers, and community members like you $1.15 million was raised to complete the Sunflower Childcare Centre and we extend our heartfelt thanks.

~ Sasha Carter Manager of Development,

Okanagan College Foundation

Galbraith Family

Stand Up for Charity Paddle

Jean and Ken Finch

$5,000-$24,999

Harold Wirick

Irreverent Garden Party

Glow Up

Kal Tire

Craig Neville and Bev MacNeill

Rotary Club of Kalamalka, BC

Tolko Industries Ltd.

Retired Teachers Whine and Cheese

Community Foundation North Okanagan

Jim and Liz Hamilton

Terry and Peter Leggat

$1,000-$4,999

Anonymous Faction Projects Inc.

Scotiabank

Anna Hunt-Binkley

Nixon Earthworks

R.E. Postill & Sons

Simolo Customs

SilverStar Mountain Resort

JoAnn Fowler

Gladys Fraser

Donna Phillips

Postill Equipment Ltd.

Hugh Hamilton and Joanna Rainer

Burton Yanovsky Family

Larry Bell

Ann and Barry Dorval

Bryce Gilhooly

Kimberly Gilhooly

Spire Psychometrics Inc.

Dr. Fred and Barbara Hartley

Laurance and Dale Donovan

Teresa and Brent Kisilevich

Panadda Kosakarn and Carl Doige

Ingrid Neumann

Nadine and Wojciech Poznanski

Ryley and Murray Shaw

Maxton Industries

Laurie and Brian Postill

RBC Dominion Securities Vernon

RE/MAX Priscilla & Company

Toro's Liquor Store

Your contribution to the Sunflower Childcare Centre directly supports student parents and their families, ensuring their children are safe, nurtured, and thriving allowing parents to focus on their education and future.