Bonnie's Bracelets made by her family members (Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC News)

By Curtis Goodrum

BONNIE'S BRACELETS

Out of the Cold Kamloops celebrates life of staffer, extends legacy through bracelet fundraiser

Mar 27, 2026 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Bonnie Cleveland was a shift captain and valued team member at the Out of the Cold shelter in Kamloops, often working late nights and days off. She passed away last year and the shelter staff and guests still feel the void of her passing. A year later, Out of the Cold and Cleveland’s family started working to keep her memory alive through a bracelet fundraiser.

“We came up with the Bonnie’s Bracelets program as a way to allow the shelter to receive donations, while also promoting Bonnie’s journey through life and how she spent every day trying to lift others up and trying to make a difference in other people’s lives,” said Renee Stein, executive director of the Out of the Cold Society in Kamloops. 

Family members say Bonnie was selfless in her day-to-day life and was passionate about the importance of her job.

“When she started this job, she was so proud and nervous at the same time. I watched her grow and learn, her passion, and she would tell me her ideas that she would bring to Renee – crazy or not,” said Solita Cleveland, Bonnie’s sister in-law. 

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Bonnie’s family describe her as a ‘wild soul’ and, like the bracelets, she expressed herself in colourful ways.

“Bonnie’s whole life, she’s always been about helping everybody she could and lifting everybody. When Renee came to us with this idea, the family was all in and really excited about keeping her legacy going,” said Lee Cleveland, Bonnie’s brother. 

“This is a really good way to express who she was. Going around Kamloops and seeing those bracelets around will be a good way to reconcile with who she was and kind of move on with life going forward,” added Layne Cleveland, Bonnie’s son. 

Bracelets can’t fill the loss that her family is going through, but it has helped bond the family together.

“I loved it. I mean, this year’s obviously been hard for everybody and it’s just finding something in your life that creates that smile on your face during this time,” said Jessica Perry, Bonnie’s daughter. 

Bracelets are made by family members, co-workers and guests at the shelter, each made while sharing memories about Bonnie. 

“She really is a crafty person and her life has always been about helping people. Knowing this is going to a good cause would make her extremely happy,” said Lee Cleveland. 

“She never backed down from a fight, and she would always stand up for what she believed in and who she was,” added Layne Cleveland. 

“Everything of hers was organized, but messy. I think the bracelets are a great way to represent her,” said Perry. 

All funds collected from the bracelets go directly to the Out of the Cold programs.

“The bracelets are $20 each. All the proceeds are that $20 goes directly into our shelter programming to help assist the folks that we take care of,” said Stein. 

Bracelets can be purchased at the shelter or on their website.