Spirit of Kelowna

Tracy Gray - Dec 25, 2020 / 6:00 am | Story: 320207

Photo: Contributed

We are amidst a very different holiday season than we’ve ever seen in our lifetimes.

With health restrictions in place, instead of gathering around the dinner table, we’ll be gathering around webcams.

Familiar traditions have been put on pause as we wait to come together to connect with friends and family.

This has been a year filled with unprecedented challenges and uncertainty, including mental health and social isolation. Many of us have lost loved ones and this year has made it particularly hard.

While it may not feel like the holidays of old, what has remained unchanged is our community spirit.

Whether it be shovelling a neighbour’s driveway, or raising money for one of many wonderful charities and not for profits serving our community, we continue to find ways to connect and support one another.

These acts of service and caring for each other are what inspire hope for us all.

It is more important than ever to support our local artisans, farmers, arts, faith organizations and small businesses, who’ve had a tough year. And, not only during the holiday season, but as we progress into 2021.

Thank you to everyone who has stepped up and shown your strength and resiliency.

From my family to yours, I wish you Seasons Greetings and a safe and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year.

If you need any assistance with programs or have any thoughts to share, feel free to reach out. 250-470-5075 or [email protected].

Stay Well.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

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About the Author

Tracy Gray, Conservative MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, is her party's critic for Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

She is a member of the national caucus committee’s credit union caucus, wine caucus, and aviation caucus.

Gray, who has won the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award, worked for 27 years in the B.C. beverage industry.

She founded and owned Discover Wines VQA Wine Stores, which included the No. 1 wine store in B.C. for 13 years. She has been involved in small businesses in different sectors — financing, importing, oil and gas services and a technology start-up — and is among the “100 New Woman Pioneers in B.C."

Gray was a Kelowna city councillor for the 2014 term, sat on the Passenger Transportation Board from 2010-2012 and was elected to the board of Prospera Credit Union for 10 years.

In addition, she served on the boards of the Okanagan Film Commission, Clubhouse Childcare Society, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Okanagan Regional Library and was chairwoman of the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

She volunteers extensively in the community and welcomes connecting with residents.

She can be reached at 250-470-5075, and [email protected]

The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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