Julie Wambeke Scholarship

For decades, Julie Wambeke epitomized the idea of sacrifice for the weakest and most defenseless among us. Ms. Wambeke selflessly given her time, money, and energy to numerous causes in Kelowna and beyond.

 

Notably, she has managed the Pro Life Thrift Shop on Sutherland Avenue for an astonishing 36 years without ever taking a dime in compensation, all for a whole class of human beings whose very personhood today’s culture refuses to acknowledge: pre-born babies.

 

Julie’s dedication to the pro life cause was profound, deep, and unwavering. It was a big part of who she was. 

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Despite the physical barriers that inevitably crop up for people of her age, Julie continued her torrid pace by donating over 1600 hours at the shop and dozens more at special events and meetings even as she approached the age of 100. Amazingly, compassion for women in crisis and the unborn did not taken up all the room in this amazing woman’s heart. 

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Throughout her life in Kelowna, Julie extended a warm heart and a helping hand to the men and women at Inn From the Cold, Freedom’s Door Recovery Centre, The Society of Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, Share, and many other groups and organization that serve the less fortunate of our community. Her past contributions include establishing the French Cultural Centre in the 1960’s, co-founding the Seaton Centre for Seniors in the 70’s, and serving on the Catholic Women’s League council for years, to name but a few.

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Julie also received awards for her extensive humanitarian service over the years. In 1985 she was awarded a City of Kelowna civic award for her work in founding the French Cultural Centre and in 2003 she was awarded the Cecilia Moore Award for her pro life work. 

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It is for her lifetime of boundless volunteer service, some approved by “the establishment” and some not, that 91-year old Julie Wambeke was awarded the City of Kelowna Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award (woman of the year) for 2011.