Members of the only fraternity at the University of Victoria will be selling cupcakes this week in support of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.
The Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity pledge class are hoping to raise up to $3,000 towards the youth group at the ICA. The youth group provides both social and academic support for recently immigrated and refugee youth.
The funds go toward programs that help expose the new Canadians to the culture of their adopted land in a safe and welcoming environment.
The fraternity has partnered with Crumsby’s Cupcake Cafe to sell cupcakes for $1 each or six for $5. The group will be pre-selling cupcakes from the cafe starting tomorrow and then on campus and at other locations next week.
The fraternity, founded in 1844 at Yale, is one of the oldest in North America. The UVic chapter started in 2010.
To order cupcakes contact Colin Baldwin, philanthropy chairman of the fraternity at [email protected] or 250-818-2415.
Gala raising funds for Chinatown centre
The Victoria Chinatown Care Foundation is hosting Art and Soul Legacy Gala to raise funds for the Victoria Chinatown Care Centre on Saturday.
The centre, built on the grounds of the old Chinese Hospital, has been serving frail elders since 1981. The building has seen many changes and upgrades, but is close to the end of its life. The gala marks the beginning of a legacy fund for the new centre. When built, it will honour the first members of the society that built the original centre.
The gala is described as a celebration of Chinese and Western influences in food, arts and fashion. It features musical entertainment including an original composition by composer Sarina Hoi and Dr. Pan’s Chinese Music Consort. There will also be a fashion show, featuring local boutiques Marmalade Tart Boutique, Linda Ferguson’s Designs, Taylor Lynn Boutiques, Tatum and Olivia and Shoe Straponz. There will be a silent auction and a raffle.
Tickets are $85 (with a $25 tax receipt available). Doors open at 5 p.m., raffles start at 5:30, dinner and entertainment 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. at the Da Vinci Centre at 195 Bay St. For tickets and more information, go to chinatowncarefoundation.com.
Saanich fruit growers serve a $100,000 gift
Beacon Community Services received a $100,000 windfall from the Saanich Fruit Growers Association last week.
The association began almost 100 years ago as a co-operative of large and small farmers. They shipped strawberries and logan berries for fresh market sales and wine-making. The farms provided employment and a central processing location provided seasonal work until the late 1970s.
With a recent sale of the former processing property, the association’s members decided to donate the funds to local and community causes.
“We want to acknowledge the fact that the Association played a role in the lives of those in the Saanich Peninsula,” said Harold McCarthy, association president. “Supporting good community work honours that tradition.”
The donation will support Beacon operations at the Shoal Centre in Sidney.
“This is a really gratifying recognition of the work our volunteers and staff do on behalf of the community,” said Keith Rolfe, Beacon board chair. “But, even more gratifying, it will directly support our efforts to help people and improve lives through Beacon’s programs.”
The Shoal Activity Centre serves more than 850 registered members, hosts thousands of drop-in visitors and houses important community services such as Beacon’s Youth Employment and Volunteer Services programs.
Established on the Saanich Peninsula in 1974, Beacon Community Services one of the province’s largest non-profit social services organizations. It serves more than 6,000 clients across the Capital Regional District. For more information, go to beaconcs.ca.
Tourism Victoria partners with hospitality group
Tourism Victoria has chosen the B.C. Hospitality Foundation as its first official charitable partner.
The foundation offers assistance to individuals within the hospitality community who are coping with financial crises arising from health or medical conditions. With an estimated 22,000 people are employed in the tourism industry in Greater Victoria, the partnership signals support to those in the community.
“Tourism Victoria is proud to be working with the B.C. Hospitality Foundation as our first official charitable partner,” said Paul Nursey, president and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “We are excited to support an organization so deeply involved in our industry and look forward to promoting their efforts while spreading the word about the important work they do.”
Destination marketing is Tourism Victoria’s core business and the organization’s mandate is to inspire the world to experience Victoria. For more information, go to toursimvictoria.com or bchospitalityfoundation.com.
Tile Town campaign builds ambitious fundraiser
Tile Town is hoping every one of their stores in British Columbia and Alberta will raise $1,000 in October and April for a local charity or choice during their GiveBack campaign. The company kicked off the event by donating $250 to every store.
“Tile Town’s GiveBack Campaign is more than philanthropy,” said Mike Scardina of Tile Town. “It’s based on creating awareness and raising money in a group effort.”
Each Tile Town store manager, and their staff, selects a charity from the local community.
At the company’s Victoria location, store manager Chuck Sauve and his staff has selected the Victoria Humane Society for the selfless work the team of volunteers do for abandoned and abused animals.
“By having each store pick a cause or organization then we have passion and a winning formula to make more people aware of a local charity and to help the community raise money for a needy cause,” said Scardina.
For more information, go to mytiletown.ca/community-support/giveback-campaign/victoria-humane-society.
Governor general honours 4 military members
Gov. Gen. David Johnston bestowed the Order of Military Merit to four members of the armed forces stationed in Victoria in a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday.
The Order of Military Merit, created in 1972, recognizes distinctive merit and exceptional service displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Forces, both Regular and Reserve. Recipients have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty, and the Order honours them for their commitment to Canada.
There are three levels:
• The level of Commander (post-nominal: C.M.M.) recognizes outstanding meritorious service and demonstrated leadership in duties of great responsibility.
• The level of Officer (post-nominal: O.M.M.) recognizes outstanding meritorious service in duties of responsibility.
• The level of Member (post-nominal: M.M.M.) recognizes exceptional service or performance of duty.
To the level of Officer:
Commander Patrick Montgomery, O.M.M., Canadian Fleet Pacific Headquarters C.D.
To the level of Member:
Chief Warrant Officer Cathy Gaudet, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt M.M.M., C.D.
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Derek Kitching, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Regina, M.M.M., C.D.
Petty Officer 1st Class Line Laurendeau, Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific), M.M.M., C.D.
The ceremony took place at an investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday.
For more information, go to gg.ca/honours.
Local student wins top history award
Ariane Calvert, a student from the École Victor-Brodeur, was one of the winners of the 2014 Government of Canada History Awards.
This is the first year of the awards. Grade 10 and 11 students were tasked to write a 1,000- to 1,200-word essay based on one of five challenging questions. High school teachers submitted a classroom project on one of three themes.
One hundred students and 20 high school teachers received awards for this first edition. Calvert won for a French essay she wrote.
Awards ranged from $2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for students.
The awards were sponsored by the ministry of Canadian Heritage. For more information, go to pch.gc.ca.
Kids’ concert Saturday at Oak Bay United
Oak Bay United Church is hosting Swimmin’ Like a Bird, a concert for children on Saturday as part of its centennial celebrations.
Although the building housing the congregation was dedicated Nov. 8, 1914, the ministry traces its history back to 1885, as the St. Columba Presbyterian Mission.
The church has been hosting a number of events throughout the year.
At Saturday’s event, Canadian singer and songwriter Linnea Good will perform with her husband David Jonsson. They will perform an energetic and humorous, yet values-oriented program suitable for all ages.
Tickets $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under and $25 families. The event starts at 2 p.m. at the church, corner of Mitchell and Granite streets. For more information, go to the website oakbayunitedchurch.ca.