Kelowna Resident Wins Car Raffle, Helps Raise $60,000 for Young Survivors

The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre of Kelowna (CYAC) is thrilled to announce that the winner of its 2025 Father’s Day Car Raffle is Alberto Bigsot of Kelowna, BC!

Alberto purchased his lucky ticket from CYAC Community Engagement Manager Sarah MacDonald while visiting Orchard Park Mall, never expecting that the next time they’d meet, it would be because he’d won the grand prize GMC Acadia AT4 SUV. At the time, he was just happy to be supporting kids in need. Now, he and his family are planning a celebratory summer road trip to Vancouver Island in their new vehicle!

This year’s raffle and CSN Father’s Day Car Show were an incredible success, raising over $60,000 for the CYAC. Since the SUV was generously donated by Lift Auto Group and CSN Collision, every dollar raised will directly support the CYAC’s work with young survivors of child abuse and neglect in the Central Okanagan.

“Child abuse isn’t easy to talk about,” said Ginny Becker, Executive Director of the CYAC. “That’s why initiatives like the car raffle are so important to us; it’s an entry point into difficult but important conversations about a crime that impacts far too many children in our community. The funds raised are critically important, but the conversations and awareness behind them are just as vital in making sure kids get the help they need.”

Open since 2020, the CYAC brings together police, child protection, healthcare, mental health, and victim services under one child-friendly roof to support children and youth on the path to healing.  An independent charity, the agency is fully community and grant funded.

“Lift Auto Group is proud to support the CYAC’s crucial work helping vulnerable children and families,” said Mark Reineking, President & CEO of Lift Auto Group. “Events like the Father’s Day Car Show and the raffle bring the community together, raise awareness, and help make sure kids in need actually find their way to the CYAC and get the support they deserve.”

If you suspect that a child under 19 has been or is likely to be abused or neglected, you have a legal duty to report it. To make a child protection report, call 1-800-663-9122. In cases of emergency, call 911.

To learn more about the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre of Kelowna, please click here.

Alongside Lift Auto Group, this year’s raffle was made possible thanks to Acera Insurance, Akzo Nobel, BASF, Jim Pattison Lease, Lawson Lundell LLP, Mario’s Towing, and Motor Werke.