Danielle Pritchett’s son, Cailen Vilness, was one of five men killed in a workplace accident in downtown Kelowna nearly three years ago. The deaths of Vilness, Jared Zook, Brad Zawislak, Patrick Stemmer, and Eric Stemmer shocked the community, leading to the creation of a makeshift memorial at the construction site. However, the memorial was eventually taken down, leaving the families without a place to mourn or remember their loved ones. The city has donated a piece of land for a permanent memorial, and Pritchett is now leading a fundraising effort to make this memorial a reality.
The fundraising effort led by Pritchett aims to gather enough money to break ground on the memorial. She has enlisted the help of her cousin, Canadian Country music star Aaron Pritchett, who will perform at a fundraising event on May 19. The event will take place at Revelry Food and Music Hub, thanks to the generosity of venue owner Kris Hargrave, who offered the space free of charge. The funds raised will go towards the construction and maintenance of the community memorial, called the Rise Memorial, at Knowles Heritage Park.
The event on May 19 will feature performances by Aaron Pritchett and Parkes’s band, with Hargrave hosting the event. Tickets are being sold for the event, with General Admission Main Floor tickets priced at $60 and VIP Balcony Experience tickets priced at $149. A silent auction will also be held, offering valuable prizes such as a private backyard BBQ with Aaron Pritchett. The goal is to raise thousands of dollars to support the construction of the memorial and honor the lives lost in the workplace accident.
The crane collapse that resulted in the deaths of the five men prompted the RCMP to recommend pursuing a criminal negligence charge. WorkSafeBC conducted an investigation into the incident but has not yet made its findings public. The memorial will serve as a place to remember and pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy, providing a space for the families and community members to reflect and mourn. The generosity of those involved in organizing the fundraising event and donating the venue demonstrates the community’s support for the project.
The Rise Memorial will stand as a permanent reminder of the lives lost in the workplace accident in Kelowna. The memorial will provide a place for the families, friends, and community members to come together and remember the five men who tragically lost their lives. The fundraising efforts led by Pritchett, with the support of Aaron Pritchett, Parkes, Hargrave, and the community, reflect a collective desire to honor the memory of the victims and ensure their legacy lives on. The event on May 19 is an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate the lives of those lost, and contribute to the creation of a meaningful memorial.
