The North Okanagan Hospice Society will be receiving a $1,108.45 donation, courtesy of citizens from across the city.

The funds raised were from the Vernon Kindness Meters, which are five orange-painted parking meters that are distributed throughout the downtown core.

They look like any other parking meter, but their purpose is to raise money for local causes. Residents can donate with cash through the meters, or online through the Pay By Phone application. Last year, in 2022, just $266 was raised and given to the Salvation Army Food Bank.

Vernon council decided the recipient this year at the Monday, Feb. 12 meeting. They chose Hospice, but had also considered the Vernon Native Housing Society, Turning Points Collaborative Society and the Kindale Development Association.

Coun. Brian Guy suggested the Hospice Society, as he had a personal experience with them.

鈥淭hey took great care of my mother-in-law in the last few days of her life, and they took very good care of my late wife a couple of years ago.鈥�

Council unanimously voted in favour of the Hospice Society, although Councillors Kelly Fehr and Akbal Mund had to recuse themselves due to being associated with organizations on the list.

The Kindness Meters have been used since 2016, with 2017 being the high-water mark for the most funds donated, with $1,798.68 going to the Upper Room Mission.

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