The latest project from the Creative Peace Mural Society has been feted at Government House by Lt.-Gov. Steven Point.

The Coast Salish-themed mural, which had artistic input from students at more than a dozen local schools, is the seventh of 10 planned textile murals the society has overseen. The mural's design came from Butch Dick of the Songhees First Nation and Darlene Gait of the Esquimalt First Nation.

The Greater Victoria school district and its Circle of Connectedness program -- formed to enhance awareness of aboriginal culture -- were partners in the mural effort.

The Creative Peace Mural Society grew out of a millennium project that linked Victoria with Ballymena, Ireland.

It has so far led to the completion of murals in Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, Uruguay, Ukraine and New Zealand. Murals are planned for Uganda and Japan next year.

Raising money for kids' hospital

The annual Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Empress Hotel is underway, and serving as a major fundraiser for B.C. Children's Hospital.

But local support for the Vancouver health facility, which treats hundreds of young Vancouver Island patients each year, is also proceeding on a number of other fronts.

Tomorrow, members of the South Vancouver Island Women's Institutes will be at the Victoria offices of the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation to present the proceeds of their recent Heritage and Heirloom Tea.

The tea celebrated the 100th anniversary of the women's organization and raised $1,500 for the foundation.

Shop for a good cause

Tonight's the night at Hillside Centre.

The centre's annual The Night Before Late Night Shopping event takes place this evening, with shoppers making their rounds to benefit more than 55 local non-profit groups, while getting a jump on their Christmas purchases. All 20,000 tickets for the occasion were distributed to the non-profit groups, which were able to raise money by selling them for $5 apiece.

Only ticket-holders can attend the event, which is in its eighth year. The night includes live entertainment and more than 50 door prizes, including a weekend at Tigh Na Mara and a trip to Disneyland.

Kitchen party for veterans

Throw a party and support the veterans and other seniors who call the Lodge at Broadmead home. The Broadmead Care Foundation is raising money to renovate three dining rooms at the 225-bed care facility, but has decided to hold off on its annual fundraising dinner-dance and instead encourage supporters to hold their own "kitchen parties" at home.

A decline in sponsorship funding was the main reason for the new approach. The idea is that the home partiers donate the $75 they would have spent on dinner-dance tickets to the lodge, said the foundation's Stephanie Slater.

For more information, call Evelyn Stewart at 250-658-3220 or e-mail evelyn.stewart@broadmeadcare.com.

Attend a play for literacy

The Belfry Theatre will be playing a role in supporting adult learners Dec. 1 with a benefit night for Literacy Victoria.

All proceeds from the evening's performance of The Year of Magical Thinking, running at the Belfry through Dec. 6, will go to Literacy Victoria programs. Tickets are $25 and available at the Belfry box office or by calling 250-385-6815. The show starts at 8 p.m. A reception is set for 7 p.m. in the theatre lobby.

Guys 'n dogs strut their stuff

Guys and dogs share the catwalk Dec. 2 as Outlooks for Men holds its second annual fashion show featuring both two- and four-legged models.

The Man and His Dog Fashion Show will raise money for Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue, a shelter in northern B.C. that places close to 300 dogs a year in good homes.

Turtle Gardens has helped many Vancouver Island dogs, and is also where Outlooks for Men owner Dale Olsen adopted one of his own pets. Tickets are $25 and can be obtained by calling 250-384-2848 or online at outlooksformen.com.

Philanthropy rewarded

Service to the community has been given its rightful place in the spotlight at Victoria's annual awards ceremony marking National Philanthropy Day.

Both individuals and groups were honoured at the Fairmont Empress Hotel during an event co-hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. Award recipients include:

- Generosity of Spirit Award, presented by the Victoria Foundation

G. Mickey Hajash -- His family, through the Donna and Mickey Hajash Foundation, provides about 11 scholarships each year for continuing-education students in B.C., Saskatchewan and Alberta. Hajash has been involved with the United Way for 22 years and Rotary for 14. He urged people to keep giving during tough economic times. "It's going to be up to us to make the difference."

- Outstanding Fundraising

Volunteer Award, presented by Telus

Jeneece Edroff -- Fifteen-year-old Jeneece has been a fundraising phenom for years, inspired by the organizations that have helped her deal with neurofibromatosis, a painful disease that causes tumours to grow in tissues around the nerves.

Her efforts have generated $1.5 million, and she has now committed to raising money for Jeneece Place, a home near Victoria General Hospital for families who have to travel here for medical services. The project also involves Telus and the Queen Alexandra Foundation, and has already brought in $306,000 in funding -- a total that includes a $100,000 donation from Telus.

Group honours went to the Victoria Imperial Lions Club, which won the Outstanding Philanthropic Service Club Award; Telus, winner of the Corporate Citizenship Award; and St. Michaels University Junior School, Gordon Head Middle School and Oak Bay Secondary School, all winners of Youth in Philanthropy awards.