The B.C. SPCA has announced more than $100,000 in funding for a spay/neuter grant program that helps communities across the province address cat overpopulation.
“This year’s funding is the largest amount that has been available through the B.C. SPCA Community Animal Spay/Neuter Grant program since its inception,” said Marieke van der Velden, the group’s outreach specialist. “We’re excited to continue the program for its sixth year and continue our work with individuals and groups who are compassionately helping community cats in their region.”
Since the launch of the program in 2013, the program has supported the spaying and neutering of 3,217 cats, 339 dogs and 100 rabbits. The grant program is designed to help non-profit organizations, veterinarians, First Nations communities and regional and municipal governments working to address pet overpopulation.
“Preventing unwanted litters through spaying and neutering is the most effective and humane approach to solving environmental, conservation and welfare issues, and we are seeing communities across B.C. coming together to help cats,” said van der Velden.
The society is accepting applications for the 2018 program. Funding will be distributed to projects that benefit a community’s vulnerable companion animals. The application deadline is March 21.
For more information, or to apply for a grant, go to spca.bc.ca/spayneutergrant.
Shriners send sick boy to U.S. hospital
Love to the Rescue is the Shriners’ motto. True to their word, local Shriners will soon be sending a sick boy to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Minneapolis for a potential drug treatment that is costly and not covered by the provincial health plan.
Landen Lanthier suffers from a rare form of juvenile arthritis that leaves him in constant pain. The hospital that has experience with this condition has agreed to assess him during his visit.
“This is a serious second opinion that could have an effect on this child’s treatment,” said Lew Rossner, a director of the Shriners B.C. and Yukon Child Services Society. “Our hospital in Minneapolis is a good match.”
Shriners operate 22 hospitals for children and accept children from North America and around the world for assessment and treatment, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.
The organization saves the provincial government millions of dollars each year by assisting sick children who fall between the cracks of health care.
“If you know of a sick child in need, requiring orthopedic medical assessment, please contact us,” said Rossner.
For more information, contact Rossner at [email protected] or bcshriners.com.
Give your views on Saanichton’s future
The Saanichton Village Association is inviting area residents to a neighbourhood drop-in session to determine their top priorities for the future of Saanichton Village, Thursday at the Log Cabin Museum.
The association will provide a summary report of the priorities to the District of Central Saanich to be considered during its planning processes.
This session takes place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, at the Log Cabin Museum, 7910 Polo Park Cres. (on Saanichton Green). For more information, go to saanichtonvillage.ca.
Passport connects people to nature
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia is launching a Passport to Nature Program, with 10 free events throughout 2018.
The program is designed to connect members, donors and the public with nature. Events include restoration activities, a tour of Abkhazi Garden, a fruit-thinning workshop, an introduction to nature photography and more.
“Want to know more about mushrooms, moss or mulching? Want tips for beautiful nature photos? Our events are fun, informative, kid-friendly and free. Hope to see you there,” said Cathy Armstrong, executive director.
Expert presenters will share their knowledge of ecosystem health, native and invasive species identification, and hands-on gardening skills.
The Land Conservancy of B.C. is a non-profit, charitable land trust working throughout British Columbia.
For a hard copy of the Passport to Nature, contact TLC at 1-877-485-2422 or [email protected]. Register for events, as they may fill up. For more information, go to conservancy.bc.ca.
Support dry grad at liquor stores
Customers at B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch stores throughout March can participate in the stores’ annual Support Dry Grad fundraising campaign.
With every donation of a dollar or more, customers will receive a bright “thumbs up” sticker to write their name on and display in-store to show their support for dry graduation events.
All donations go to the school district in which the store is located. Funds are distributed to public high schools and participating independent schools planning alcohol-free graduation activities.
The contributions by liquor-store customers top up funds raised by parents, students and teachers, who work all year to raise funds for dry graduation celebrations.
“Year after year, B.C. liquor store customers continue to generously support our efforts to prevent underage drinking and promote safe graduation events across the province,” said Blain Lawson, general manager and CEO of the Liquor Distribution Branch. “The dry-grad campaign is one of our more significant initiatives, and highlights our commitment to social responsibility and keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors.”
In 2017, 55 school districts and the Federation of Independent Schools participated, representing more than 270 high schools throughout the province. Liquor-store customers donated more than $322,000 to the dry-grad campaign.
For more information, go to bcldb.com/corporate-social-responsibility/community-fundraising/support-dry-grad.
Telus retirees raise funds for seniors
Telus South Island Community Ambassadors have enhanced the lives of frail, vulnerable and elderly community members with a donation earmarked to purchase replacement motors for ceiling lifts.
Late last month, the ambassadors delivered a cheque for $7,500 to Mount St. Mary Hospital to support individuals who require 24/7 complex care. The cheque was the culmination of a year of fundraising events, including their Great Christmas Bake Sale.
“As Telus retirees and volunteers, we find it rewarding to give back to local organizations that need our support,” said Robert Hope, president of the group. “Knowing our efforts are making it possible for Mount St. Mary residents to be safely moved from bed to chair through the donation makes us very proud.”
Ceiling lifts ensure residents are safely and comfortably transferred with dignity from their beds to their wheelchairs. Ceiling lifts also help to reduce staff injuries when caring for and transferring residents.
Each ceiling-lift motor costs $2,600. The lifts are used extensively and, after 15 years of use, the maintenance exceeds the cost of replacement.
The hospital continues to raise funds to replace 150 ceiling-lift motors. If you would like to donate to the Lift Us Up campaign, contact Jane at 250-480-3138 or donate online at mountstmary.ca.
Founded by the Sisters of St. Ann, Mount St. Mary Hospital is a community for individuals requiring complex-care services.
New style of food bank coming downtown
Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island is expanding its services to those in need in Greater Victoria.
Expanded services include larger premises, a food bank, a free store and delivery of the society’s core programs.
The food bank and frontline service centre, known as the Social Concern Office, will be shifting operations to 833 Yates St. in downtown Victoria. The new location — at 186 square metres, almost double the size of the existing facility — will allow for an expansion of services.
Highlighted in the new operation will be a Food with Dignity food bank, allowing those in need to choose the type and amount of food they need, within a set framework of available items.
The society has seen a steady increase in demand for clothing over the past several years. The new operation will offer a free clothing store where clients can find a full array of items from shoes to hats and everything in between.
Core programs such as income tax, anger management and Christmas giving will also see an increase in capacity.
“The society sees an opportunity to embrace a new and innovative approach that moves away from the traditional food-bank model. We are focused on adding freedom of choice, respecting dietary and cultural food sensitivities, and adding a level of dignity to the whole process of accessing emergency food,” said Angela Hudson, executive director.
The society has also received grants from the United Way and the Victoria Foundation to provide housing residents with a hand up to independence through the Food Security toward Sustainability program.
The society acknowledges the ongoing support of the Victoria Foundation and the United Way. For more information, go to svdpvictoria.com.
Students need musical instruments
The Victoria Conservatory of Music is hosting Schumann by Candlelight, a benefit concert to help purchase instruments for students who have talent, but not the means to develop that talent. It’s on March 23 at the Lutheran Church of the Cross.
The conservatory already possesses an international reputation for the singers and instrumentalists it has produced. But its real strength is in its community education programs, where more than 4,500 students take part in a huge variety of classes from jazz to classical.
Proceeds from the fundraising concert provide disadvantaged children of all ages the means to purchase their own instruments.
The benefit concert features Danny Daniels, tenor, and Braden Young, piano, presenting two of Robert Schumann’s most well-known works, Scenes From Childhood and A Poet’s Love.
Admission is by donation (donations of $25 and more eligible for tax receipt). The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., March 23, at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Rd. For more information, go to vcm.bc.ca.
Blood inventory is critically low
Canadian Blood Services continues to urge eligible Canadians to give blood as the national inventory and days on hand of several blood groups remain at critically low levels.
The agency is hoping to receive about 10,000 donations to continue to meet patients’ needs this spring.
“We’ve had an increase in donations across Canada since Feb. 20, when we urged 35,000 new and returning donors to give blood,” said Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services’ chief supply chain officer. “We’re pleased collections in many areas have improved, but floods in Ontario and a late snowfall in B.C. hampered our efforts to replenish the national blood supply to levels we need. With less than a week to go in our urgent call for blood donors, we still have thousands of open appointments to donate blood.”
Given its short shelf life, the need for blood is constant. Cancer patients, accident victims and people with blood disorders rely on blood transfusions every day.
For convenience, people can download the GiveBlood app or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Walk-in appointments are also available at all locations. To find a nearby donation site, go to blood.ca.
