Casual Fridays benefit hospital

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 28, 2012 1:00 AM

City of Vernon employees are rallying behind people who are facing cancer head-on. Staff has donated $2,500 to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation as part of dressing casual Fridays. “The 2012 Casual for a Cause fundraising efforts were directed towards the renovations and expansion of the McMurty-Baerg Cancer Centre,” said Courtenay Pitcher, the city’s communications officer. “Employees support causes that benefit local residents.” Renovation and expansion of the cancer centre will cost $500,000 and it’s being funded entirely by donations. “There was no public funding available to expand and renovate the cancer centre,” said Sue Beaudry, VJH Foundation director of development. “The foundation agreed to raise the funds necessary for the project to go ahead. It’s a wonderful gift that city employees have given to local cancer patients.” In previous years, city employees have supported B.C. Children’s Hospital, the Vernon SPCA, the Canadian Cancer Society and the North Okanagan Hospice Society.