Fund Seeks Donations to Help Cemetery Theft Victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 08, 2019

The City of West Kelowna will accept donations to help victims of theft at the Westbank Cemetery recover costs for memorial replacements until Friday, December 6.

In the late evening of Saturday, September 14, bronze markers from 55 memorial plots in the Westbank Cemetery were stolen. On September 23, the City was advised that through excellent police work and local tips, the stolen bronze markers were recovered, however, 20 were damaged beyond repair.

Hearing there is much local interest in helping impacted families replace their memorials, West Kelowna Council requested the City establish a fund to receive donations. To date the fund sits at $1,930 thanks to generous donations from the public. To cover the costs of memorial replacements fully, a fund of $10,000 would be needed.

People interested in donating can do so in person at City Hall, 2760 Cameron Road, with cheque, cash or debit or cheques can be mailed to City of West Kelowna Cemetery Memorial Replacement Fund at 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 2T6. Donors will be provided a tax donation receipt for donations exceeding $20. Donors are asked to provide their name, address and a contact phone number to receive the charitable donation receipt.

Families whose memorials must be replaced can apply to be reimbursed for a portion of their costs, depending on the donations received. Distribution of the donations will be done after December 6 and after all markers have been replaced. Families will need to provide a receipt of purchase for their replacement memorials. The City has sourced reduced price options from suppliers for memorial markers. Families are encouraged to consider memorial options that are not attractive to thieves, like granite, which is also less expensive than bronze. The City will waive its installation fees for impacted families.

For more information about the fund and how to donate, call the City’s Finance Department at 778-797-2220. For information about memorial options please contact the Cemetery Office at 778-797-8875.