There are some events that live up to their name, and Once in a Blue Moon is one of them. Hosted by Rhonda Hymers in support of CAC Kelowna and set against the backdrop of the O’Rourke Family Estate, this was more than just another fundraiser. It was one of those rare nights when a community comes together, and the results are nothing short of historic.

I remember driving up to the estate that evening, the vineyard stretching out in perfect rows, the valley holding a kind of stillness that promised something special. By the time the first guests arrived, the setting was already working its magic. There’s something about being in a space of beauty that makes people open up, and on that night, generosity felt contagious.

CAC Kelowna, the Child Advocacy Centre, holds a mission that is as urgent as it is important. They stand for children who have endured some of the hardest experiences imaginable, offering them safety, advocacy, and hope. To raise funds for this work requires more than good intentions—it requires rallying people’s hearts. And that’s what Blue Moon has always done. It creates a space where stories are told, where lives are honoured, and where giving feels less like an obligation and more like a privilege.

Rhonda set the tone with her trademark warmth and conviction. When she spoke about why she was standing behind CAC Kelowna, it was impossible not to feel it. That authenticity, combined with the grandeur of the estate and the intimacy of the evening, gave everyone in the room permission to care deeply. There were moments of laughter, moments of silence, and moments when you could hear nothing but the sound of glasses being set down after a toast.

What makes Once in a Blue Moon so special is its history. Year after year, it has raised staggering amounts for CAC Kelowna, funds that directly translate into counselling, advocacy, and services for vulnerable children. The numbers are inspiring, but what really matters is the ripple effect: the children who found healing, the families who found support, and the community that found a way to say, “We will stand with you.”

For me, the night underscored a lesson I’ve learned again and again in philanthropy: setting matters. The O’Rourke Family Estate wasn’t just a venue—it was a stage for generosity. Its elegance elevated the evening, but it was the sense of belonging and unity that carried it. People gave not because they felt pressured, but because they felt inspired. That’s the sweet spot where philanthropy thrives.

I left that night reminded that rare events like this do more than raise money. They create memories, they build community, and they spark a kind of collective energy that lasts long after the tables are cleared. Once in a Blue Moon isn’t just about a night under the stars—it’s about what happens the next day, when CAC Kelowna has more resources to continue their vital work.

As I reflect on it, I think about how easy it is to underestimate the power of a single night. But when generosity, storytelling, and vision come together, a single night can shift the future. That’s exactly what happened at Blue Moon. It was rare, it was remarkable, and it was a reminder of what’s possible when we gather not just to celebrate, but to give.