Here’s why Rob Ellis is a big fan of Vernon Jubilee Hospital. And the VJH Foundation’s Charity Classic Golf Tournament.
And why he spent more than $10,000 of his own money at the Classic’s live auction making sure the hospital is adequately equipped.
Ellis, owner of Rellish Transport, points to VJH as the focal point for the greatest event of his life: the birth of his son, and the exceptional care his boy received at the start of his life’s journey.
“The dedication is so beyond words,” said Ellis, who was welling up with his tears as he shared his story during the post-golf dinner and auction with legendary auctioneer Don Raffan.
For Ellis himself, there have been trips to VJH with broken bones, a hip replacement, and, a few years ago, a heart attack.
“This hospital, and all of its remarkable staff, gave me the ability to ensure I’m still with my son,” said Ellis. “Being blessed with knowing so many that work at this hospital and everything they put into the care of our community, it’s an honour to know and call so many friends.
“It’s being grateful. For the people, the supportive nature of those who give what they can, when they can. It’s never a dollar total that can be given – it’s the heartbeat of a community.”
The foundation’s 17th Annual Charity Classic golf tournament – held on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Predator Ridge Resort – broke another record by raising over $600,000 for essential medical equipment at VJH.
To date, this tournament has raised nearly $5 million for local healthcare.
The record-breaking total cements the Charity Classic’s standing as the premier charity golf tournament in B.C.
“It’s no secret how incredibly passionate everyone involved is about this event, but it’s still astounding that every year our community manages to raise the bar even higher,” said Kate McBrearty, executive director of VJH Foundation.
The emotional high point of the evening came when title sponsor Paul Docksteader took the stage, moved to tears by the evening’s impact, and officially committed the Paul Docksteader Foundation to sponsoring the Charity Classic for the next 10 years.
“This event has always been about the people,” said Docksteader. “The wonderful, generous, kind, and caring people of the North Okanagan. My deep, sincere thanks to the hospital, all of the volunteers, and the golf committee for putting on this event.”
McBrearty echoed Docksteader’s comments, attributing the event’s historic, back-to-back growth to a “deeply committed community” — including venue sponsor Predator Ridge Resort, the members who generously donate the course for the day, over 30 local business sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and the golfers who return year after year.
A cornerstone of the evening program is Fund-A-Need, where attendees like Ellis directly pledge funds for critical equipment at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
This year, the VJH Foundation Charity Classic helped purchase a state-of-the-art orthopedic surgery table. With six orthopedic surgeons performing more than 600 hip surgeries annually, this advanced table enables less invasive routine procedures — like total hip replacements — as well as urgent, life-saving hip and femur fracture surgeries.
In addition to the orthopedic table, the community helped purchase a Neoprobe Gamma Detection System to precisely locate cancerous tissue during surgery, a Masimo SedLine to monitor brain activity and ensure safe anesthesia levels, as well as Vital Signs Machines, oxygen concentrators, and mobility aids.
“The success and 17-year legacy of Charity Classic belongs to the close-knit community behind it,” says McBrearty. “From our tireless organizing committee to our incredibly generous donors, sponsors and volunteers, everyone shares a deep commitment to local healthcare. The day was perfect, the evening magical. Days like this make us proud of a community driven to ensure our medical teams get the equipment they need to continue delivering exceptional care.”
Raffan and event emcee, former NHL Stanley Cup champion Brent Gilchrist, conducted the auction and had groups raising their hands and reaching into their wallets to the point that $137,800 was bid on 11 items.
Raffan ended up convincing two people to buy the same package, a private gourmet dinner and wine pairing experience, with each bidding $21,000 on the deal, valued at $3,000.
Gilchrist, from Vernon, donated $5,000 to the foundation, and convinced his former boss, Vernon Hall of Fame NHL general manager Ken Holland to do the same.
Holland, now president and GM of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, donated an LA sports package to the auction, which included tickets to a pair of Kings’ home games (vs New York Rangers and Dallas Stars), and tickets to an NFL football game at So-Fi Stadium between the L.A. Rams and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, which went for $18,900.
The Morning Star was one of the tournament’s many sponsors, and sent reporters Brendan Shykora and Roger Knox – himself the recipient of two hip replacements from VJH – to compete in the tourney.
They were paired with Calgarians Chad Niehaus and Jason Huber, who ended up with a sore back from carrying the foursome with stellar shots, particularly on the team’s first nine holes. The quartet had a ton of fun, laughs, food, and drinks during their 18-holes together, but ended up at six-under-par, and out of the prizes.
Ellis – who entered a foursome complete with company flame-embroidered golf shirts – and his team finished at 13-under-par.
“We had an absolutely amazing day with amazing friends and colleagues,” said Ellis. “Laughter aplenty and memories not soon or ever forgotten. Hearing Don Raffan on the mic is always a magical moment.
“It’s truly the event of the year to which being apart of it gives us all a special moment in time.”