Dads and daughters, granddads and granddaughters, uncles and nieces were able to celebrate their special bond at a Butterfly Ball in Victoria and the Comox Valley — and raise a record-breaking $88,000 for the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
The balls, held May 7 in Victoria at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour and June 18 in the Comox Valley at Crowne Isle Resort, are the signature fundraising events of the foundation. Proceeds go toward community programs serving children and youth with disabilities and health challenges and their families, living on Vancouver Island and in the surrounding region.
Attendees had a unique opportunity to dance a butterfly waltz, enjoy a gourmet dinner, play games and indulge in sweet treats.
At the heart of the event, and underneath the revelry, was the understanding that all were gathered to rally around families and children.
“Butterfly Ball Victoria and Butterfly Ball Comox Valley are excellent examples of philanthropy in action,” said Diane Lloyd, interim CEO of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. “Embedded in the festivity is the satisfaction of knowing that everyone who attends is making a difference in the lives of local children. It feels extraordinarily special to raise funds in a multi-generational way — to have fathers teach their daughters about the impact of philanthropy.”
One of the attendees at the Comox event was Brian Miller, who spent his first Father’s Day in the hospital with his new baby girl who had complications at birth, and this year he was able to celebrate with her at the Butterfly Ball.
“Words cannot begin to express the gratitude I have as a father for all of you who have helped support Children’s Health Foundation,” he said in a speech at the event. “The life of my daughter and our family has forever been changed by your generous giving of time, effort and finances. Because you give, our family has thrived and for that I am forever grateful.”
For more information, go to childrenshealthvi.org.
Neighbourhood garden finds a new home
A neighbourhood garden in James Bay, uprooted after 15 years, has found fertile ground nearby — and organizers are holding an event to celebrate on Saturday.
The Neighbourhood Garden of All Sorts, long a fixture on Michigan Street, had to move last year because the property was being developed.
The lack of available private land took the group to the City of Victoria and a process of identifying possible spaces.
Some of the gardeners came up with the idea of growing food on the boulevard on MacDonald Park. They developed a submission for Victoria council approval. After consultation with neighbours and presentations to the James Bay Neighbourhood Association Land Use Committee, the submission went before council and was approved unanimously last December.
Today, lettuce, chard, peas and herbs are growing in 18 beds tended by about 25 gardeners, including couples and children.
Organizations that made the project a reality include LifeCycles Project Society, the City of Victoria, TD Bank, and the Parks and Recreation Foundation of Victoria. Jawl Properties provided in-kind support for raised beds; Camosun College construction students built the shed and beds on site.
Everybody is invited to the opening celebration, which runs 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the garden, on the boulevard of MacDonald Park (across from White Eagle Hall) in James Bay.
For more information, contact MaryLynne Rimer at [email protected].
Fun for kids at diabetes camp
Send your child or youth living with Type 1 diabetes to camp.
The Canadian Diabetes Association offers a D-Camps program that provides a camping experience while accommodating the needs of campers with diabetes. At the camps, diabetes management fits into the day as naturally as a jump in the lake or an evening campfire. A day in the life of a camper includes them testing their blood sugar levels, taking insulin, counting carbs and learning to manage their diabetes independently.
Camp Kakhamela in British Columbia is one of 12 such camps across Canada. The association has been operating the camps since 1953 — the only national provider of a summer-camp program for children and youth living with Type 1 diabetes in Canada.
Children can indulge their sense of fun and adventure in a diabetes-friendly environment where they can meet and connect with other kids and learn how to self-manage their diabetes in a supportive environment.
Diabetes is a complex disease and an estimated 463,000 British Columbians live with it. A further 755,000 live with prediabetes, along with many others who are living with the disease but are undiagnosed. For more information, go to diabetes.ca.
Special camp is for kids with Crohn’s
Children suffering from Crohn’s disease and colitis have a camp that’s just for them.
Due to the physical symptoms of the disease, which can include abdominal pain, internal bleeding, diarrhea and fatigue, children with the disease typically avoid regular camp due to social stigma, which can lead to feelings of isolation.
Camp Got2Go is an one-week (July 24 to 29) overnight summer camp for children from across Canada living with these diseases; it gives them the opportunity to have a normal childhood experience.
One of the attendees this year is Oskar from Victoria, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 12 after losing more than 11 kilograms.
“I don’t feel worried at all knowing that there are care facilities at the camp,” said Vanessa Wood, his mother. “I’m excited that he can get out there and have fun with other kids with the same condition and build relationships.”
Canada has among the highest rates of Crohn’s and colitis, with one in 150 Canadians living with these diseases. The incidence of Crohn’s disease in children under 10 is a greater cause for concern, having doubled since 1995. There is currently no cure.
For more information, go to campgot2go.ca.
Torquay Elementary wins playground money
Torquay Elementary School was one of five winners of a new social initiative of the B.C. Automobile Association.
This year, BCAA launched Play Here, a multi-year community investment initiative to rejuvenate play areas in the province. Communities were invited to nominate a space they thought would make a good candidate to receive $100,000 for a play space revitalization.
The response was overwhelming, with more than 500 submissions from communities and schools throughout the province.
Five finalists were chosen. To choose the winner, BCAA invited the public to vote for one of the finalists. Again, the results were impressive, with more than 300,000 votes cast to decide the winner.
While the Torquay Elementary School project in Victoria won, it was a close race with the Lillooet Recreation, Education and Cultural Centre project. BCAA came up with a surprise that pleased even the runner-up.
“Lillooet and Victoria were neck and neck through the voting period, frequently swapping the lead. The two communities have very different stories but both have real need for a new play space,” said Shawn Pettipas, community manager for BCAA. “We ultimately decided to declare two winners and found a way to deliver exciting new play spaces to children in both communities.”
Children in both communities will soon have a better place to play, thanks to the unexpected double-win.
To make the inaugural year memorable, the three other finalists: Windsor Elementary in Burnaby, Crawford Bay Community Park and General Brock Elementary in Vancouver also received a surprise $20,000 contribution toward making their play space projects a reality.
BCAA Play Here builds on a longtime focus on child road-safety programs and recognizes the importance of play in healthy childhood development, including problem-solving, critical thinking, socializing and physical development. For more information, go to bcaaplayhere.com.
Keep that senior brain engaged and sharp
Seniors 55 and older can learn strategies to keep their minds engaged and sharp at a special six-week Summer Brain Camp that starts July 26.
Memory PLUS (Practice, Laughter and Useful Strategies) is a program offered by the Silver Threads Service that provides seniors with tools and strategies to help deal with memory loss through conversation and connections.
The camp is ideal for those who are new to the program and also for those returning to build on their skills.
“Memory PLUS is an enjoyable program that is all about laughter as the key ingredient,” said Toby Schnoor, program facilitator. “We provide a safe place to explore some of the difficulties associated with memory loss and have fun doing it.”
The cost is $37.50 for six weeks. Each session includes tea, coffee and homemade snacks. The program runs 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday until Aug. 30 at Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell St. or 1 to 3 p.m. every Thursday until Sept. 1 at Saanich Silver Threads Service, 286 Hampton Rd.
Silver Threads Service is a charitable, not-for-profit society that enhances social connections and well-being for seniors. For more information or to register, go to silverthreads.ca.
Reading club keeps kids on track
Beat the summer slump by enrolling your children in the Greater Victoria Public Library Summer Reading Club.
Summer vacation is a time when children get out and enjoy the sun. But it is also a time when they regress in their reading skills, commonly known as the summer slump.
To beat the slump, the library has introduced the Summer Reading Club, with weekly prizes, to encourage children 12 and under to read 15 to 20 minutes every day. More than 3,000 children have signed up so far.
This year, the Friends of the Library have bolstered the club with a $10,000 donation.
“We see how important it is for kids to keep learning and reading throughout the summer. We’re glad to be contributing to their education in a fun, engaging way,” said Irwin Henderson, president of the Friends.
The funds will be used to purchase weekly reading incentives for the kids and augment summer programs such as storytimes, puppet shows, themed programs, and science and health activities.
The group has also committed $20,000 to support the redesign of the library’s public website, launching in 2017.
“The volunteers have given hundreds of hours to fundraising for the library, and the positive impact of their generosity is felt every day,” said Kevin Murdoch, library board chairman. “Thousands of children will enjoy learning this summer thanks to their support. The community at large will welcome a new and improved website, the library’s virtual branch, to help them explore [the library’s] collections and resources to keep learning and growing.”
The Summer Reading Club is offered at all 11 branches in the Greater Victoria Public Library system. In 2015, more than 7,100 children participated. Adults and teens can also take part in a special summer program, the Summer Challenge, which encourages them to engage with books and reading through an online contest. For more information, go to gvpl.ca.
A moonlight walk in Oak Bay
Join your Oak Bay neighbours and enjoy the Buck Moon tonight at the Embrace the Night walk.
The monthly one-hour walk is a family-friendly initiative of the Community Association of Oak Bay.
Anybody can join the walk, which starts and ends at Cattle Point/Uplands Park. The walk will take people along Beach Drive, catching glimpses of the Oak Bay waterfront and the moon along the way. They turn around at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.
The walk takes place rain or shine.
Meet in the park’s main parking lot, between the boat ramps, at 7 p.m. tonight. With a nearly full moonrise shortly after, people are almost guaranteed to “pass the buck” on this walk. For more information, go to caob.ca.
