Rain was not enough to keep the community from coming out Father's Day to help support Penticton's Discovery House.
The addiction recovery program's annual fundraiser brought in over $25,000 between sponsorships, the barbecue and individual donations.
"We started this in the backyard at Wade, where we were happy to make $500 and now the support that we get just increases the services we have," said Blaine Russell, the program's executive director.
The program has grown in leaps and bounds since those early fundraiser days, going from five beds up to now 25 beds for the treatment program and following transitionary care.
This year's event was also a celebration of the program's past executive director, Jerome Abraham, who died after battling cancer earlier in 2024.
Abraham's son Leif capped off the fundraising dunk tank, getting up on the platform time after time just like his father used to. Long-time fundraiser and Discovery House supporter Janet Parker donated $1,000 to throw the first ball, but it was Leif's mother who dunked him for a $500 donation to the program.
"My dad was an amazing man," said Leif. "He did a lot of great things for Discovery House and me and a lot of other people and we're all lucky to know him. He went in the dunk tank, so I'm gonna go in the dunk tank and we'll be honouring Jerome Abraham."
In addition to staff and alumni, some of the individuals currently working their way through the program were also helping to raise funds and give back.
Matthew Sanderson, who's currently sober and half-way through the program, spoke to how much of an impact the program has had on his life.
"I did this program 14 years ago and I had 12 years of sobriety," said Sanderson. "I made one wrong choice when I went out with the guys for the weekend and the last couple of years have just been the pits for me. Discovery House works, it works better than any other program out there, so I'm happy to be back."
The difference from other programs, Sanderson said, is that Discovery House feels like a family. That everyone there is currently working towards the same goal.
"It is a bit difficult living with 13 other guys," said Sanderson. "But we're all there to get our families back, their parents back and their children back and be a productive member of society."
Discovery House alumni, including Gord Portman, stepped up to be dunked alongside members of the Penticton Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Julius Bloomfield.
The program still has a lengthy wait-list of people looking for care and treatment.
For more information about Discovery House, its addiction recovery programs, and ways to support the organization, people can visit discoveryhouserecovery.com.