The Victoria Royals have teamed up with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation for the third annual Hockey for Hospitals charity game, Saturday at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The Royals face off against the Calgary Hitmen to raise funds to purchase two specialized electric stretchers for the Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospital emergency departments. Each electric stretcher costs $10,000.
Funds will be raised through ticket sales, 50/50 ticket sales on game night and the popular Chuck-a-Puck game, which takes place at intermission.
“All types of patients who come to the emergency departments will use the stretchers — everyone from critical accident victims being rushed to the trauma room to patients being assessed in ambulatory care,” said Dr. Brian Farrell, medical lead of the Victoria General Hospital emergency room. “The electric stretcher can weigh patients, which is important because in trauma and critical situations, medications are given based on weight. We’re so grateful to the community for supporting our hospitals.”
In 2016, the emergency departments at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee hospitals saw about 120,000 patients combined.
The Victoria Hospitals Foundation works in partnership with Island Health to enable donations to the Royal Jubilee and the Victoria General hospitals.
Tickets for the game start at $26. The game starts 7:05 p.m., Feb. 4 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St.
For more information, or for tickets online, go to victoriahf.ca/hockey.
Fundraiser promises a beautiful evening
Enjoy an evening of beauty and inspiration at the Gift of Change, a fundraiser for the Creatively United for the Planet Society, featuring the magical images of Courtney Milne and music of Ann Mortifee, Feb. 11 at the Robert Bateman Centre.
This catered evening supports the society’s vision to enhance individual, community and global well-being.
The multimedia presentation weaves a seamless blend of story, images and music in a journey of beauty and wonder.
Images from the presentation are by international award-winning Canadian photographer Milne, portrayed in his 12 books of mystical images of the world’s most sacred landscapes.
Tickets to the event are $35 per person, which also includes the opportunity to view the newest exhibits at the gallery. The event runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (multimedia presentation starts at 7:15 p.m.), Feb. 11 at the Robert Bateman Gallery, 470 Belleville St. Underground parking is available across the street at the Hotel Grand Pacific.
For more information, go to facebook.com/events/1828647360734932 or creativelyunited.org.
KidsRights looking for brave children
Nominate a child you know for the KidsRights International Children’s Peace Prize 2017.
The international children’s rights organization has officially started the nomination process for the peace prize for a brave boy or girl who has demonstrated the skill and determination necessary to improve the rights of children.
This year will be the 13th consecutive year that the prize has been awarded.
KidsRights is proud of the international prominence the prize has gained over the years. Malala Yousafzai, who won in 2013, went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize the following year.
Nomination criteria:
• The nominee must be a girl or boy over 12 and under 18 years of age;
• From anywhere in the world;
• The child must have a clear history of standing up and fighting for his/her own rights and/or the rights of other children. It is important that the child have an active approach in accomplishing this goal, which has led to a concrete result;
• The child agrees to being nominated for the prize.
The deadline for entries is March 17. The nomination form and the full list of criteria can be found at childrenspeaceprize.org.
For more information, go to kidsrights.org.
Uplands volunteers hunt invasive species
Help the Friends of Uplands Park with their efforts to remove invasive weeds and help the endangered Garry oak ecosystem at two events in coming weeks.
Eradicate English ivy at the No Ivy League event at Cattle Point, Feb. 5.
The assembled group will be given instructions and tools to get the job done. The event is an excellent opportunity for students needing volunteer hours.
The event runs 1 to 3 p.m., Feb. 5, at the south boat ramp at Cattle Point in Uplands Park, off Beach Drive in Oak Bay. Can’t make it this week? The event repeats every Sunday until March 26.
Two fairly new invasive weeds have been discovered at the park. On Feb. 18 people can join the Brrr Bash, to remove carpet burweed and bur chevil.
Again, instructions, tools and refreshments will be provided.
The event takes place 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the south boat ramp at Cattle Point. The program repeats Feb. 25.
For more information, go to friendsofuplandspark.org or contact Margaret Lidkea at [email protected].
Donation will help build dementia facility
The lives of Nanaimo citizens suffering from dementia got a bit brighter this week with the presentation of a $5,000 cheque from the Western Financial Group to the Nanaimo Travellers Lodge for its new Eden Gardens facility.
The donation helps the society move closer to its goal of $2 million for the capital-building campaign. The new facility, which will accommodate 130 residents, is expected to open in April.
The Western Financial Group includes two Coast Capital offices in Nanaimo.
“We were honoured to be the office of choice to donate to a community charity that we all believe in,” said Jodi Craig, from the Bowen Road branch of the group. “Many of our families and friends have been touched by dementia, and we knew immediately where we wanted these funds to go. Our office staff selected and voted for Nanaimo Travellers Lodge’s Eden Gardens’ campaign hands-down.”
Nanaimo Travellers Lodge is a non-profit long-term care home specializing in dementia care. It provides day programs, bathing and full care for 90 residents with dementia.
Donations are tax deductible, and recognition opportunities are still available.
For more information, go to nanaimotravellerslodge.com or 250-760-2646.
Monopoly Affair will help cancer society
Don’t roll the dice and leave things to chance if you intend to play at the Monopoly Affair, an annual fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, Feb. 25 at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa.
The game is less than a month away, and tickets are going fast.
The Monopoly Affair is a vaudeville-themed night with fast-moving property deals, ever-increasing rent and friendly competition.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Canadian Cancer Society in support of people on Vancouver Island who are battling cancer. The carefree night of wheeling and dealing will raise money to fund cutting-edge research in the war against the disease and improve the lives of those on the front lines.
Tickets are $100 each. The event runs 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 25 at the hotel, 100 Harbour Rd. For more information, go to cancer.ca/monopolyaffair.
Longtime volunteer is honoured twice
Tom Martin, a founding board member of the Braefoot Community Association, was recently recognized for his years of volunteer work — and work with veterans — with two awards.
In November, Martin was awarded with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, to honour his contribution in both service of and remembrance of Canada’s veterans.
The award was conferred by Kent Hehr, minister of veterans affairs and associate minister of national defence.
Martin recently also received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, which recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields.
Martin has served the Braefoot community for more than 30 years, with countless volunteer hours, donations and support.
The Braefoot Community Association has been providing community-based programming for youth in Victoria and South Vancouver Island since its inception in 1986.
For more information, go to braefoot.ca.
Union gives $2,500 to Special Olympics
The Cowichan Valley Special Olympics has been chosen to receive a $2,500 donation from Christian Labour Association of Canada as part of the union’s Building Communities program.
The organization was nominated by Kelly Henault, a member employed by We Care Home Health Services.
“Cowichan Valley Special Olympics was formed in 1995 and provides individuals who have an intellectual disability with the opportunity to enhance their lives and celebrate personal achievement through positive sport experiences,” said Henault of his nomination. “From gymnastics to floor hockey, athletes can train year round and are given the opportunity to compete provincially, nationally and internationally. This organization relies solely on fundraising, and this donation will go toward sports gear such as balls, bases, hockey sticks and more.”
Formed in 1952, the Christian Labour Association of Canada is the country’s largest national, independent, multi-sector union representing more than 60,000 workers in almost every sector. For more information, go to clac.ca.
Dreams get a boost from grocery stores
Country Grocer stores raised more than $10,000 to make the dreams of Vancouver Island children come true through fundraising efforts this past Christmas season.
The sum included the sale of dream bouquets, Vancouver Island-grown Christmas trees and donations at the till between November and December. This is the sixth year that grocery chain has partnered with Help Fill a Dream, raising a total of more than $70,000.
Established in 1984, Country Grocer is a Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island company with seven stores and more than 700 employees.
Help Fill a Dream provides hope, help and happiness for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands children with life-threatening conditions. For more than 30 years, the foundation has fulfilled dreams, improved quality of life and assisted families with care and financial support.
Fellowship is aimed at indigenous journalists
Applications are being accepted for Indigenous Journalism Fellowships offered by the Canadian Journalism Foundation and the CBC.
The award aims to foster indigenous voices and issues in Canada’s major media and community news outlets. The awards will be offered to two indigenous journalists with one to 10 years of experience.
Successful applicants will:
• Spend one month with CBC News at its indigenous centre in Winnipeg.
• Have a training stipend of $3,000, all associated travel and accommodation, a per diem for meals and other reasonable expenses.
• Be recognized at the Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards.
• Write or produce an article/piece or series upon completion of their fellowship opportunity, which will be considered for publication or broadcast by CBC News.
Applications will be welcomed from indigenous journalists who have been employed by, are under contract to, or are freelancing on the news and editorial side of regularly published newspapers and periodicals, television, radio or online sites.
Application deadline is Feb. 24.
For more information or to enter, go to cjf-fjc.ca.
