KELOWNA, BC, August 7, 2026– Families are invited to pack a picnic blanket, soak up the summer sun, and help keep families close when they need it most at the first-ever JoeAnna’s House Family Picnic, taking place Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Strathcona Beach Park.

Hosted by the KGH Foundation and JoeAnna’s House, this free admission, family-friendly community event will make a remarkable impact for JoeAnna’s House – a home away from home for families with loved ones receiving care at Kelowna General Hospital.

Adding to the day’s excitement, every donation made during the event will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000, thanks to generous matching supporters, doubling the impact of every gift made to support families staying at JoeAnna’s House.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic supplies and enjoy an afternoon filled with entertainment and activities for all ages, including local food trucks, a family BBQ, lawn games, a DJ, artisan vendors, photo booth, temporary tattoos, children’s activities, and a lemonade stand by donation proudly sponsored by Cristalina Parc. Visitors can also tour the newly expanded JoeAnna’s House, celebrating the community’s generosity in helping create ten more rooms for families facing medical crises.

For those looking to support the cause before or during the event, an online silent auction featuring family-friendly experiences, packages, and local favourites is now open. Community members can browse and bid here: JoeAnna’s House Family Picnic 2026

“JoeAnna’s House has always been about the power of community, and we’re honoured to continue supporting that mission through JoeAnna’s House Family Picnic,” says Amy Nunn, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Prestige Hotels & Resorts, who is the title sponsor of the event. “This event brings families together for a day of fun while helping ensure other families can stay close to their loved ones when they need it most.”

Pattison Media is also helping bring the inaugural event to life through its community partnership.

“We’ve been proud to support JoeAnna’s House community events from the very beginning, and it’s been incredible to watch them grow year after year,” says Corey Fischer, Program Director, Pattison Media. “The community’s generosity and enthusiasm continue to grow with every event, and that momentum has made something like the JoeAnna’s House expansion possible. We’re honoured to help bring this new tradition to life and continue supporting the families who rely on JoeAnna’s House.”

While admission to the JoeAnna’s House Family Picnic is free, guests can purchase an All-Access Activity Pass on-site to enjoy the event’s premium children’s activities and attractions, with proceeds supporting JoeAnna’s House.

JoeAnna’s House provides affordable accommodation just steps from Kelowna General Hospital, allowing families to remain together while a loved one receives medical care. Last September (2025), JoeAnna’s House broke ground on construction to meet growing demand, adding 10 new family suites and increasing its capacity to support families from across the Southern Interior.

The KGH Foundation invites everyone to gather their family, pack a picnic, and spend an afternoon making memories while helping other families stay together when it matters most.

For more information, to browse the silent auction, or to learn more about JoeAnna’s House, visit JoeAnna’s House Family Picnic – Joeanna’s House

Since 1978, the KGH Foundation has worked with a generous community to raise funds to support world-class healthcare close to home for a growing and diverse population in the interior of B.C. Today, the KGH Foundation is the lead fundraising organization for Kelowna General Hospital, JoeAnna’s House, and Central Okanagan Hospice House, while also fundraising for vital community health care programs.

Media Contact:

Carly Reuter
Director of Brand & Creative, JoeAnna’s House  

KGH Foundation

t | 250-862-4300 x 27008

e| Carly.Reuter@interiorhealth.ca