Sandra Newvine knows that Kamloops is a tight-knit community. As a senior specialist of stakeholder engagement with BCLC, she’s seen residents come together to support and celebrate at sporting events, outdoor recreation and arts and culture experiences.
Knowing this, it came as no surprise to her to see so many community members out last month at the city’s first-ever Kamloops Christmas Market.
As part of BCLC’s Human Connection project in Kamloops, BCLC was proud to serve as a key partner in the inaugural event. Newvine and the BCLC team worked alongside the City of Kamloops, Tourism Kamloops, the Kamloops Sports Council, GenWell and the United Way to help transform the Heritage Parking Lot above Riverside Park into a European-style outdoor marketplace from November 21–30, bringing joy, connection and community spirit to all who attended.
“The holidays are a special time to come together, and this community-driven event allowed us to bring our social purpose of generating win-wins for the greater good through human connection to life and embed opportunities for connection that will span beyond the special moments at the market,” said Newvine.
The market featured festive lights, local artisans, food vendors and holiday experiences designed to spark joy and togetherness during the holiday season.
For Newvine, BCLC’s presence at the Market went far beyond a traditional sponsorship; at its core, it was about creating a collective experience of connection – with loved ones, vendors, community partners and even strangers.
“Our ‘connection corner’ included activities designed to spark meaningful moments of connection for adults attending the market,” she said. “From a bingo game designed to help guide folks to connect with vendors and other attendees, to lawn games and a cozy seating area decked out with connection-themed games — everything was designed with the intention of bringing people together.”
Over 30 BCLC employees volunteered at the corner over the course of market’s run. For Tiana Roy, operations manager with BCLC’s customer support centre, it was truly special to witness first-hand the power of connection within her community.
“As a Kamloops resident, this event meant a great deal to me,” said Roy. “It showcased the heart of our community and reminded me how special it is to live in a place where people genuinely show up for one another. Events like this highlight just how strong our community spirit is. Our involvement at BCLC wasn’t just about sponsoring an event; it was about helping to create a space where people could gather, celebrate and feel connected during a time of year that matters so much to so many.”
Market attendees also had the opportunity to meet and connect with BCLC’s Human Connection Project’s community partners.
Sam Bregoliss, community engagement coordinator at United Way BC, was blown away by the level of engagement from the community.
“I loved how the Kamloops Christmas Market brought the whole community together,” said Bregoliss. “I met so many amazing people — from TRU students writing holiday cards to their partners back home to newcomer families experiencing a North American Christmas for the first time. Our goal was to spread joy and create meaningful connections with someone you don’t always get to see over the holiday season and BCLC was incredible in creating space for United Way BC to help make that happen.”
Approximately 23,000 community members visited BCLC’s connection corner — no mean feat concludes Newvine — and its impact has proved substantial.
“The success of Kamloops’ first Christmas market serves as a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Newvine. “Whether through a shared event, a conversation or a simple moment of togetherness, these experiences reinforce what makes a community strong — and set a hopeful tone for the year ahead.”
To learn more about BCLC’s social purpose and the BCLC Human Connection Project, visit: bclc.com/humanconnection.
