Providence Funeral Homes and Crematorium

08/21/2026

On Fridays, we like to pause and take a moment to remember those who have gone before us, those we wish were still here, and those whose absence we carry with us. This week, that pause holds another layer of grief.

The past two weeks have brought fear, uncertainty, evacuation, loss, and upheaval to so many in Summerland, Faulder, Meadow Valley, and Garnet Valley and surrounding communities. Wildfire has changed landscapes, displaced families, threatened homes, and reminded us how quickly the familiar can change. Even as people begin returning home and looking toward what comes next, there is much to process, grieve, and rebuild.

Today, we hold close in our hearts those who have lost someone they love, those affected by the wildfires, those still carrying the weight of these past weeks, and all those who have shown up to care for their neighbours and communities.

Please join us in taking a moment in song as we listen to “After The Storm” by Mumford & Sons, a reminder that even after the hardest storms, we can begin to find our way forward together.

https://youtu.be/SWYG7lZBc6U?si=Soo2W4M4nScw3s0_

Buy Mumford & Sons album, "Sigh No More" on iTunes: http://itunes.a...

08/20/2026

📍 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞

The Recovery Information Centre at the George Ryga Arts & Cultural Centre remains available to support residents with information, referrals, and recovery resources.

Current resources available onsite at the George Ryga Centre include:

✅ Telus Communications
✅ TD Insurance
✅ Disaster Psychosocial Support (DPS) Mental Health Services

Please note: This is an information and support centre only. While we greatly appreciate the community's generosity, the Centre is not a donation or distribution centre, and we are unable to accept drop-offs. If you would like to make a donation, please contact: [email protected]

📍 George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre, 9525 Wharton St. (2nd Floor)
🕙 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

We recognize that recovery can be a challenging and stressful time. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or are looking for support, the Recovery Centre is here to help.

08/17/2026

The Courage to Keep Going

Sometimes getting through grief
isn’t about courage
in the big, heroic sense.

Sometimes courage
is simply getting out of bed
when your body feels heavy
with everything you’ve lost.

It is drinking a glass of water,
eating something
when you have no appetite,
answering one message
instead of disappearing
into the silence.

It is taking a shower,
opening the curtains,
stepping outside
and letting the air
touch your face.

It is letting yourself cry
without apologising
for the tears.

It is saying,
Today is hard,
and not judging yourself
for finding it hard.

Some days,
courage is making it
through the morning.
Some days,
it is making it
through the next hour.
And sometimes
it is simply breathing
through the next few minutes.

You do not have to be strong.
You do not have to
make sense of the loss.

Getting dressed
can feel enormous.
Cooking dinner
can feel impossible.
Walking into a familiar room
can suddenly remind you
of everything
that is no longer there.

And that is okay.

You are not weak
because you are struggling.
You are not failing
because you feel lost.

You are carrying something
that hurts deeply,
and sometimes
carrying it
is the bravest thing
you can do.

You can move slowly.
You can rest.
You can miss them.

You can laugh
and then feel guilty
for laughing.

You can have a moment
where you feel almost okay,
and then be broken open
by a memory.

And in case no one told you today,
the way you keep choosing courage over fear
is inspiring.

So if today
all you can do
is get out of bed,
breathe,
eat something,
cry when you need to,
and make it to tomorrow,

let that be enough.

You only have to be gentle
enough with yourself
to get through
this moment.

~ 'The Courage to Keep Going' by Spirit of a Hippie

✍️ Mary Anne Byrne

~ Art by Bee.Succeed Bee.Succeed.

08/13/2026

We continue to send out love to every single evacuee. Please note, of course, our Summerland Chapel remains closed at this time. We are here to serve you in West Kelowna, Penticton, Keremeos, and Princeton (Keremeos and Princeton are by appointment). If evacuees are in need of food, JCI Penticton is set-up 24 hours/day near the community centre.

08/10/2026

Tune into YouTube Live today, August 10, 2026, at 6:00 pm.

The Regional EOC is livestreaming a virtual Briefing Information Session and EOC Update regarding the latest information on the Bald Range Wildfire (K51490).

Representatives from BC Wildfire Service, RCMP, officials from the Regional EOC and elected officials from the District of Summerland, Penticton Indian Band, the RDOS, and the City of Penticton will be in attendance.

Watch live on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/

District of Summerland
City of Penticton - Municipality
Penticton Indian Band - Public
BC Wildfire Service

08/10/2026

Our hearts are with everyone experiencing evacuation and such loss and devastation due to the Bald Range Fire. Our team members who are evacuated are all safe. We are all incredibly grateful for the firefighters and everyone working tirelessly to keep things safe. Take good care of one another.

🚨 Update (Sunday, 6:40 p.m.): Penticton continues to welcome and support evacuees from surrounding communities.

As additional evacuees arrive, registered ESS guests who can do so are encouraged to move to alternate accommodations to help ensure support remains available for those with the most immediate needs.

A Comfort Centre is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Princess Margaret Secondary School, providing a safe place to rest, recharge and access amenities like food, water, and a place charge devices.

There are currently no evacuation alerts or orders for the City of Penticton.

There is a lot of misinformation circulating. For accurate and up-to-date information, please rely on official sources and avoid sharing unverified information.

📍 Latest updates:
◾ City of Penticton: penticton.ca/emergency-updates
◾ RDOS Emergency Operations Centre: rdos.bc.ca
◾ Watch live video updates: https://www.youtube.com//streams
◾ RDOS interactive map: https://emergency.rdos.bc.ca/interactive-map/
◾ pages: Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, Penticton Indian Band - Public, District of Summerland & BC Wildfire Service
📍 Information for evacuees: www.penticton.ca/emergency-updates

08/07/2026

On Fridays we like to pause and take a moment to remember those who have gone before us, those we wish were here. We like to do this by taking a moment in song. Please join us as we hold close in our hearts those who are hurting, those who are grieving, and those whose hearts are full of love for their people who no longer walk this earth. Join us as we listen to "It Ain't Fair" by Aretha Franklin & Duane Allman.

https://youtu.be/-9Sil4y-B9c?si=jqeLQJ85mKCdgCVB

Subscribe, rate, ring bells, share, comment and enjoy the music!S...

07/30/2026

A great event for a great cause!

🎉 We're turning 81 — and you're invited! 🎉

For over eight decades, the Kiwanis Club of Penticton has been proud to serve, connect, and grow alongside this incredible community. Now it's time to celebrate — and we want everyone to be part of the party!

Join us on Saturday, September 26, 2026 in Penticton, BC for our Kiwanis Club of Penticton 81st Birthday Gala — an evening under the theme Anchored in Community, celebrating 81 Stories of Service & Impact from the people and moments that have shaped our journey.

Step into a fun, intimate 1940s-inspired evening as we look back on our legacy and look forward to the future — together, with the community that makes it all possible.

🎟️ Tickets: $50
📍 SS Sicamous, Penticton, BC
📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026

Whether you've been part of Kiwanis for years or you're just getting to know us, you belong here. Come celebrate 81 years with us! 🥂

👉 https://www.kiwanisclubofpenticton.com/events-1/81st-birthday-gala