Like a pack of wild wolves, the howls can be heard coming from every direction. The howls of V8 engines that is! With every roar there is an equal, if not louder reply. The message is clear. “Let’s get this party started!”

Today is Okanagan Dream Rally day, and it is off the charts wild. My young co-pilot sits next to me as we await the flag that will set us free through the starting gate! Keiarra, my beautiful and amazingly talented co-pilot, comments how much she loves all of the smiling faces. “Everyone is smiling, and being so nice to one another.” I look around and think, what a spectacular thing it is to be surrounded by a community of kindness. This is what Dream Rally is all about in a nut shell. Bringing joy to so many.

Today we all drive to Penticton in one rolling roar of happiness. If your heart is not bursting with love as you see the smiling faces of the Co-pilots, the waving onlookers, both big and small, and the pilots themselves, then perhaps you do not have a heart. Because today kindness rules and generosity is here to back it up in abundance.

This special day is possible because a village has come together. A village of generosity. From the August Family Foundation and August Luxury Motors, every volunteer who withstood the blazing sun, to the families who entrust us with their loved ones, to the co-pilots themselves, we thank you. To Every member of the community that waved a flag, a hand, and offered a smile, we appreciate you. You made a child happy today. You are a Community Rock Star.

With checkered flags waving, and smiling faces peaking out, we roll over the hills. With hearty engine howls we curl around the corners, and we all float on a cloud of sharing and caring. I am grinning from ear to ear, as my Co-pilot and I energetically sing along with the song she has chosen, “Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long.” Allow me to clarify that last statement. My Co-pilot sang, whereas my offering was more of a earsplitting squeal. The day is exciting, tender, hilarious and loud, and all of it is AWESOME. The airport hangar is filled with gleeful voices, the grounds filled with Lamborghini’s, Ferrari’s, helicopter, jets, fighter jets, private planes, army tanks and love, so much love.

So many companies donated their time, resources and efforts to make this day a huge success. I am grateful to be among this community of generous souls. The painting I donated was auctioned off for thousands of dollars during the After Party, along with a fabulous array of other big, and GIANT auction items.

My rally sponsor, Skylux Helicopters, donated a helicopter ride for two families as well as an auction package for a helicopter charter. Thank you Skylux Helicopters for bringing over $45,000.00 to this years event! You are Community Rock Stars! All of the proceeds of this event go directly to the KGH Foundation and Ronald McDonald House. And a whopping amount it is! The August Family Foundation was aiming to raise over $1,000,000.00 at this one day event, and I have a hunch that they exceeded that goal in a big way. Thank you August’s, you are definitely COMMUNITY ROCK STARS!!!

As I say goodbye to my Co-pilot and drive away I think to myself, I can’t wait for next year to do this all over again!

Thank you people of the Okanagan.

YOU ARE RALLY ROCK STARS!