Sarah Comba doesn’t believe in payback, she wants you to Pay it Forward. The second-year Business Administration student has joined forces with the Okanagan College Alumni Association to lead the Pay it Forward challenge, a giving drive aimed at helping local community organizations this holiday season.

Driven by the motivation to make a difference in her community, and inspired by a concept taken from Catherine Hyde’s book "Pay it Forward," Comba responded to the recent sub-zero cold snap and its effect on Kelowna’s homeless by initiating the Pay it Forward challenge -- a concept that promotes a chain-reaction of single acts of kindness.

"We are a society of excess and there is no reason why we can’t pass something on to those less fortunate," says Comba. "We all have something to give, whether it’s a coat that no longer fits or a can of food that has been sitting in our cupboard. Homelessness doesn’t have one face, it has countless faces and by participating in this challenge, we can all contribute to make the holiday season brighter for those in our community who may need some help."

A group of students enrolled in the College’s Human Service Work program joined the initiative and will help by donating an assortment of clothing they have been collecting for weeks and have volunteered to sort through the donations made by the community.

For Jamie Morrow, Okanagan College Alumni Association President, partnering with Comba was a natural fit.

"The Alumni Association felt there was an opportunity to help one of our future alumni coordinate a community-wide effort to make it easy for both the College and greater community to donate," says Morrow. "We have already seen a great deal of support from both students and staff."

Donations of laundered men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in good condition, nonperishable food items, small gifts, household items, toiletries, books and cash donations are being sought for community groups that include the Boys & Girls Club Downtown Youth Shelter, the Women’s Shelter, the Salvation Army, the Gospel Mission and the Drop-in Centre.

Drop boxes will be set up around the KLO campus as well as the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce until Dec. 18. On Monday, Dec. 18 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. there will be an opportunity for all community members to drop off donations at the Student Services Building of the KLO campus at 1000 KLO Road. Members of the Okanagan Business Students’ Association (OBSA) will be on hand offering hot chocolate and cookies to everyone who drops off donations.

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For more information contact:

Katerina Hay 862-5630, ext. 3

khay@okanagan.bc.ca.