Few days hold as much symbolic significance than Father's Day for Penticton's Discovery House, which champions the mission of "Returning fathers and sons to their families."
The addiction recovery program marks each Father's Day with a fundraiser, and every year the community and Discovery House alumni show up in support.
The goal for 2025 is the same as it's been the last few years: to fund one of the program's beds so that a person in the grips of addiction has a chance to break free.
It wasn't always the case, as the program's successes have helped it secure some streams of funding for a few of the beds without relying on community donations.
"I remember some fundraisers, if we didn't get a certain amount, we were going to have a tough time keeping the lights on back in the day," said Blaine Russell, Discovery House's executive director. "Now we're able to sustain ourselves with some other funding that we do have, but every little bit helps."
This year, after four years of rain, saw the sun come out and shine on the fundraiser as people flocked to Skaha Lake Park and the beach.
The full tally of donations and funds wasn't available, but Russell said that in pledges alone there was over $20,000 raised.
Those pledges and donations came from community supporters, like Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield, Janet Parker, members of Discovery House's board, Apex Mountain Fire Chief Kelly Johnston and alumni of the program.
Russell, like many of the staff and mentors at Discovery House, is an alumni himself who is paying it forwards and helping others.
"The best part of the day is, we always get to see all the alumni that come back that came through the house years ago come back with their children, and they're playing the games and they've got them back in their life," said Russell. "That's how recovery works, these guys get healthier and then they get their families back and then we get to honour it by events like this."
Matthew Sanderson, who spoke with Western on Father's Day in 2024 while he was going through Discovery House, brought his family back with him to this year's event.
Gord Portman marked his fourth year going into the dunk tank, and in May he celebrated five years of being sober and a completely changed life he credits to Discovery House.
"I was in the house for a total of 714 days, almost two years," Portman said. "I never thought I'd be where I am today. I'm doing so good and I got my life back, I got my family back, I got so much back because I stayed clean and sober. I wouldn't be where I am today without Discovery House and knowing I can go there 24-hours-a-day seven-days-a-week, and be there for support."
Portman has become a community champion in his own right in recent years, working with groups like the Penticton Overdose Prevention Society, Interior Health and OneSky Community Resources in outreach work where his own lived experience makes a difference.
"If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life, and I love my jobs," said Portman. "I work almost seven-days-a-week helping people with addictions and people reach out to me all over the community. I've got all the resources and connections now, so everybody reaches out to me and I can help other people."
In addition to the dunk tank, kids' zone and barbecue lunch, the Discovery House Chopper for Hope was on display at this year's Father's Day event.
Discovery House is selling raffle tickets for the custom-built motorcycle, with the proceeds going to support the program's current and future services.
The chopper and Portman will be around at various events throughout the valley, having already visited Keremeos during the Victoria Day weekend for the Rodeo and set to appear at the upcoming Peach City Beach Cruise.
For more information about Discovery House, its addiction recovery programs, and ways to support the organization including buying tickets for the Chopper for Hope, people can visit discoveryhouserecovery.com.
