Bear Wear, a beloved holiday tradition that sees dozens of cuddly teddy bears dressed up in costumes, kicks off another season Monday at the Hotel Grand Pacific.
Now in its 16th year, the annual event has raised more than $500,000 for the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island in support of local and Gulf Islands children with disabilities and health challenges.
The event sees local sponsors, businesses, organizations and individuals dress up bears. Visitors are encouraged to make a suggested minimum $2 donation to vote for his or her favourite bear. Each person who votes will be entered to win their favourite bear in a raffle at the end of the event.
Free family events include:
• Stories with Santa, Storybook readings with Santa Claus, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11
• Carols and Cocoa, Carolling by the Alumni Company of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Hot beverages provided.
The bears are free to view from Monday to Jan. 2 in the lobby of the Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St.
The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is a registered charity that funds programs for children and youth across the islands, including many at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health. It also owns and operates Jeneece Place and built the Sooke and West Shore Child, Youth and Family Centres. For more information, please visit childrenshealthvi.org.
To see pictures of last year’s bears, go to flickr.com/photos/ childrenshealthvi/albums/ 72157663518690435.
Christmas in the Cabin kicks off seasonal fun
Start off the holiday season in Saanichton at Christmas in the Cabin, an event organized by the Saanich Pioneer Society in conjunction with the Saanichton Village Christmas celebrations, at the Log Cabin Museum on Saturday.
The day starts off with a pancake breakfast with Santa at St. Mary’s Anglican Church (1973 Cultra Ave.) followed by horse-drawn carriage rides through the village, a Christmas tree trail, a winter market and more.
Events at the Log Cabin Museum include crafts for children to make cards or decorations and decorating gingerbread cookie houses. Parents can shop for baked goods, preserves or just relax with a warm drink by the fire.
The event is free to attend. It runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Log Cabin Museum, 7910 Polo Park Cres. (off the 7900 block of East Saanich Road, behind Thrifty Foods).
For more information, go to saanichpioneersociety.com.
Blood is the best gift you can give
Canadian Blood Services recruitment teams hit the streets on Monday to let potential donors know the best gift they can give this holiday season is blood, with the launch of their holiday Give campaign, which runs until Dec. 31.
“There’s a lot to cheer about at Canadian Blood Services this holiday season,” said Mark Donnison, vice president of donor relations. “The move toward a digital environment is resulting in a better overall experience for donors. It also supports Canadian Blood Services’ commitment to innovating. As we work to bring new donors in to compensate for changes in eligibility, the digital experience is a great asset.”
The organization is hoping people start a new tradition this holiday season and book a first appointment to donate blood.
A total of 100,000 new donors are needed before the end of March to maintain the national blood supply and meet the needs of Canadian patients who require blood transfusions.
There is an even greater need for new donors this season because of new iron-eligibility guidelines introduced recently, which means some donors won’t be able to donate as frequently.
Surveys have shown the top reason people do not donate blood is because they have not been asked. Recruitment teams are a way to connect with and encourage people to consider becoming a blood donor. People can book an appointment by downloading the Give Blood app for Apple or Android or by visiting blood.ca.
Return your late books and help the food bank
Erase your library fines with peanut butter as the annual Food for Fines campaign by University of Victoria Libraries offers relief from library fines in exchange for non-perishable food items, now until Dec. 9.
Tardy borrowers will see their fines discounted by $2 for every non-perishable food item or personal item (up to a maximum of $20). Library users may also pay for their fines (up to $20) as a donation.
At this time of year, food banks become an essential lifeline for so many in need. Proceeds from the initiative benefit the Mustard Seed Food Bank and the UVic Students’ Society Food Bank and Free Store.
Items most in need include rice, pasta, baby food, peanut butter, canned beans and fish, as well as toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap.
The initiative runs through Dec. 9 at the three libraries on the UVic campus: the McPherson Library (Mearns Centre for Learning), the Curriculum Library (MacLaurin Building) and the Diana M. Priestly Law Library (Fraser Building).
For more information, visit uvic.ca/library/featured/events/ foodforfines/index.php.
Give an adult kitty the gift of a home
Turn brrrs into purrs this winter by adopting an adult feline friend during a cat-adoption event at the B.C. SPCA presented by Hill’s Science Diet. As a bonus, all adult cat adoption fees are 50 per cent off until Dec. 5.
“We’re reminding British Columbians that when one cat is adopted, it frees up shelter space and allows us to bring another cat in from the cold,” said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the society. “The society takes in several thousands of cats each year — right now, there’s more than 1,600 felines in B.C. SPCA care who need loving, forever homes.”
The adoption fee includes vaccinations, spaying or neutering, permanent ID, any necessary medical care, and internal and external parasite treatment. Petsecure provides six weeks of free pet insurance.
All cats are microchipped, and for $12 a year or a $45 lifetime fee, the animal will be registered in the provincewide B.C. Pet Registry.
The adoption includes counselling and matching to ensure animals go to a good home.
Hill’s Food, Shelter and Love program provides more than $240 million worth of food to nearly 1,000 shelters every year, including the B.C. SPCA, helping more than six million pets find a new home.
To search for adoptable animals online, go to spca.bc.ca/adopt or hillspet.ca/en-ca/shelter/ pet-shelters.html.
Giving Tuesday a cure for commercialism
Overwhelmed with the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Find your generous spirit with Giving Tuesday, a day when charities, businesses and individuals come together to celebrate giving and participate in activities that support community.
Music bingo, burgers and balloon pops: UnitedNOW! is teaming up with the Yates Street Taphouse for a special music bingo night. In between the tunes, the council will host a balloon raffle where, for $5 per balloon, patrons can win a variety of prizes from local businesses. The event runs 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday at the Taphouse, 759 Yates St. Call 250-590-5253.
Open house at A La Mode: Stop by and shop for your next outfit at A La Mode and, with a minimum of a $20 donation to United Way, receive 20 per cent off your total purchase. For every purchase you will be entered to win a door prize worth more than $200. Bubbles and bites served from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the store, 1507 Wilmot Pl. For more details visit facebook.com/alamode2009.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving when Canadians, charities and businesses come together to celebrate giving. People can donate cash, clothing, food, volunteer, help a neighbour, or perform a random act of kindness.
For more information, go to uwgv.ca.
Carollers to sing for their school
Listen to a bunch of children from James Bay Community School carolling to raise funds to enrich their education this Friday and next at James Bay Square.
The group of students will be carolling and selling raffle tickets to raise money for class projects, field trips and performances.
There are more than $3,000 in prizes, courtesy of Helijet, Clipper Vacations, Royal Scot Inn and Suites, Pharmasave, Victoria Athletic Club, Thrifty Foods, Rogers’ Chocolates and other contributors.
The group will perform 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 9 at the James Bay Square, 425 Simcoe St.
For more information, contact Nairn Wilson, James Bay Community School PAC, at [email protected].
Holiday Emporium needs your donations
A downtown elementary school is looking for household goods, not cash, for their Holiday Emporium.
L’école George Jay Elementary School’s Holiday Emporium is 10 years old. At the event children can shop for gifts for their loved ones, for just $1 each. The event makes a real difference in the lives of some of the families, who can’t afford to shop during the holidays.
The school is asking for donations of new or lightly used good-quality items. They stress that although items are sold inexpensively, goods should be clean and not broken; remember, the kids are “shopping” for their families.
This year the school is also seeking donations of gift bags, wrapping materials, ribbons, small boxes, bubble wrap, tape and tissue paper. Wrapping presents is part of its parent volunteer service, so the kids’ families really do get a surprise.
Every year parents transform the school gym into a big holiday emporium for the children to shop for family and friends. Students can buy up to four presents for $1 each. All proceeds go directly back to the school to help sponsor field trips and cultural events.
In case there are any items that clearly should be sold at a higher price, the doors will be open at the end of the school day for parents to shop for their families.
Donations can be dropped off at the school during school hours, Dec. 1 to 13. Emporium Day runs 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the school, 1118 Princess Ave.
Online portal a window into the community
Creatively United for the Planet has just launched This Is Leadership, a community hub connecting individuals, organizations, schools or businesses in the community.
The community portal is touted as a place to find out about current events that relate to innovative ways of thinking, doing and being.
People can share free resources, information, a directory, post events, or write stories, book and film reviews.
The organization also plans to partner with Shaw TV to present a series of half-hour programs in the new year showcasing the leaders and changemakers in the community. For more information, go to thisisleadership.org or on Facebook.
A gift for the palate at annual Christmas Shaker
Discover the region’s award-winning cocktail scene and the culinary prowess of members of the Island Chefs Collaborative at the group’s Christmas Shaker at Ogden Point on Dec. 4.
This is the fourth year of the event, hosted by the group and 17 Black Events, billed as an extraordinary cocktail party with a festive theme. Proceeds from the event will support of the group’s food security initiatives.
Barkeeps from the most celebrated establishments in the city will craft, mix and shake an exciting variety of both classic and innovative libations for guests to enjoy. They will be paired with canapés prepared with the finest local ingredients and serenaded by live music by the Broken Strings throughout the night.
Tickets are $50 plus GST. All of the chefs’ dishes and two drinks are included in the ticket price, as well as non-alcoholic offerings. Additional cocktails, beer and wine, can be purchased for $3 each. The event runs 7 to 11 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Pier A building at Ogden Point, 189 Dallas Rd.
Tickets are available at iccshaker.com.
