It was a pretty good day for the Energizer Bunny known as Jerome Abraham.
Abraham, the always busy, always hustling executive director of Penticton-based mens' recovery program Discovery House, spent some time Saturday morning conversing with, then touring a pair of Penticton council members, including first-timer Isaac Gilbert, through the organization's Winnipeg Street primary residence.
He then accepted donations totaling $12,500. And for a grand finale, he officially announced the start of Discovery House's chief annual fundraiser, the "Shed the Light on Addiction" campaign.
It's the latter that he's most focused on. For 2022, the campaign, which runs from today through Dec. 31st, is looking to raise $153,300, the exact number needed to fully fund four currently unfunded treatment beds for one year at Discovery's Winnipeg Street home.
It's a lot to ask and Abraham knows it. But he also knows the 2021 campaign pulled in a record $158,800, which, when combined with $137,000 from BC Housing, built an entire carriage house in the backyard of another Discovery House location on Edna Street, several blocks away.
"We just got $12,500," said a smiling Abraham, "including ten thousand from (board member) Janet Parker.
"In October we got $15,000 from Parkers Chrysler, and we've had about $8,000 in other donations from three other supporters for this year's Shed the Light campaign. So we’re starting off with just under $35,000."
Abraham's also feeling pretty good about his recent interactions with Penticton council.
"So far," he said, "they're the first council -- I think they were sworn in last week --- to reach out to us right away to tour and ask how they can help. So that's very encouraging.
"The last council was very supportive with grant funding, a bit faster permits and things like that. So they were very supportive. But this council right off the bat has been great. Most of them have already toured and the remaining two are scheduled."
For Janet Parker, whose last name now graces the carriage house at Edna Street, powerful Discovery House donations are par for the course.
"I'm a big believer," she said as today's tour group grabbed a lunch break in the roomy Winnipeg Street kitchen. "And I'm hoping we get to move forward with an even bigger plan with Discovery House. And I'll be very happy to donate to that too."
Second-term councilor James Miller said today was the deepest he's toured the facility.
"Mayor Bloomfield and council indicated an interest in seeing what they're doing right," he said, "but they're obviously doing everything right.
"Hopefully we can lobby different levels of government to adapt their model -- which is based on abstinence recovery, which doesn't seem to be the flavour of the day with the provincial government. But there's one success story after another that's come from Discovery House, so it's been great to see the inner workings."
Rookie councilor Isaac Gilbert said it was his first time through the home but that he was already familiar with it through media coverage and conversations with members of the community.
"But I was really appreciative Jerome asked me to come and tour the place today," he said. "There's a community here. I can see people support each other to see a path forward."
To contribute to the 2022 Shed the Light on Addiction campaign, email [email protected] or call 250-462-1388.
Donors can "purchase" outdoor Christmas lights at $10 each or full strings of 25 for $250, all of which will be installed on the Winnipeg Street home before mid-December.
Then on Dec. 17th, everyone in the community is invited to witness the official "House Light Up" ceremony at 633 Winnipeg St. The event starts at 4 pm and ends at 6. Refreshments will be served.
For more info on Discovery House, head here.
