The Holiday Wishes 50/50 Raffle will help fund vital services such as subsidized home supports, recreation programs, and social services for seniors and care partners in the Central Okanagan.

It鈥檚 sponsored by the Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre to support the nearly 2,000 seniors who sought help from the organization this year.

鈥淭he affordability crisis has been hard on seniors living on a fixed income, especially older adults who rent and live alone,鈥� said Ian Gerbrandt, executive director.

He pointed out the Centre meets seniors every week who are on the verge of losing their home because of the lack of affordable rental housing and inadequate public home supports. 鈥淲e do what we can to connect people with our discounted transportation, housekeeping, food, and social supports,鈥� Gerbrandt explained.

The push for support comes as the B.C. Seniors Advocate released its Monitoring Seniors Services Report. 鈥淯nfortunately, despite government investment in seniors鈥� services, we continue to fall behind meeting many basic needs,鈥� said BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt. 

He noted there is less home care, long-term care beds, rent subsidies, and subsidized seniors housing available today per population compared to five years ago. 鈥淭his is particularly worrisome when the seniors鈥� population in B.C. has grown 45 per cent over the past 10 years and will continue to increase over the next decade.鈥�

Seniors Outreach also offers social programs and visiting services. 鈥淪ocial connections are vital for good health,鈥� Gerbrandt added. 鈥淥ne participant recently told me that our programs make 鈥榟er life more colourful,鈥� and she calls her volunteer companion 鈥楳y Gift.鈥欌��

Tickets for the or in person at 155 Asher Road, in 91大黄鸭, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The deadline to purchase tickets is midnight on Dec. 19, with the prize draw set for Friday, Dec. 20. Last year鈥檚 winner took home $7,000.