Unaffordable rents and out-of-reach home ownership led local realtors to pick a perfect cause to support at a recent pumpkin patch fundraiser.

Re/Max Vernon Salt Fowler held its 15th annual Pumpkin Patch Day at the popular St. Annes Road patch on Oct. 6.

In addition to providing hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee, treats for the kids, face painting and coupons for free pumpkins, the real estate team provided hope for those struggling to afford North Okanagan rents by raising $1,740 in matched donations for the Okanagan Village Housing Society.

鈥淭his year the weather didn鈥檛 cooperate quite as much as previous, however the generosity of our community continues to be amazing,鈥� said Lisa Salt, one of the founders of Salt Fowler. 鈥淭his year we changed our focus to raising money for the Okanagan Village Housing Society鈥檚 A Place To Call Home fundraising campaign. As local realtors, we see first-hand the challenge of housing affordability. We are all excited about the 96 units being built to help these individuals and families have exactly that - a place to call home 鈥� and happy to play a small part in that project becoming a reality.鈥�

Salt Fowler has a history of giving back to its clients and to the community. This year local businesses such as Caufield鈥檚 Engraving, Tim Horton鈥檚, Helmut鈥檚 Sausage Kitchen, Kal Tire, Buy Low Foods, Beach Radio and Teeter Totter Toys joined Salt Fowler in supporting Pumpkin Patch Day with contributions to support this annual local event.

Okanagan Village Housing Society is a registered charity whose mandate is to develop a permanent inventory of managed, safe and comfortable rental housing at below market rate for the 鈥渨orking population鈥� of lower to middle income workers, families, pensioners, and people with diverse abilities who are in need of help along their way to becoming or remaining long-term contributing citizens. For more information, see .