For the ninth year, the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board has recognized a member for their community service and volunteer efforts. In the Central Zone, this year’s award recipient is Scott Jennings, a Realtor with Re/Max Kelowna.
In 2004, Jennings founded the Hot Coffee Project, a program that serves hot coffee and pizza to downtown Kelowna’s homeless during the five winter months.
“I own a coffee roasting company and everyone’s always asking for money, so why not put something that’s a bit more important into their bodies and something that is warm?” says Jennings. “That usually adds a bit more satisfaction, in my opinion, rather than just giving someone a dollar amount. Here you get to sit down and actually have a conversation with them over a cup of coffee and let people feel like they are people.”
Jennings’ entire family has become involved in giving back and his daughter became particularly inspired after attending We Day in Vancouver. The event is part of an international project that encourages youth to make a difference in their local and global community, combining the energy of a live stadium concert with the inspiration derived from extraordinary leadership stories. Following the event, Jennings and his daughter purchased several pizzas and walked around Vancouver, offering pizza to the homeless.
“It’s not always about collecting money, it’s about doing something because you want to do it. Don’t do it because someone thinks you should do it,” Jennings says.
