The Island Breaststrokers dragon-boat team is holding its annual meet and greet on Wednesday to promote awareness and attract new paddlers for the season.
The team is made up of breast-cancer survivors of different ages and walks of life. They celebrate life through the pursuit of fitness and wellness, as well as providing hope and mutual support.
“We encourage all survivors of any age and fitness level to join us,” said Pat Newbigging. “No experience required — we will teach paddling to all.”
The group, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is planning activities around the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival in August. Over the years they have taken their message of hope to South Africa, Singapore, Australia, the U.S. and Israel.
The meet and greet starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Howard Johnson Hotel, 4670 Elk Lake Rd. For more information, call Pat Newbigging at 778-426-0635 or go to islandbreaststrokers.com.
Anglican bishop to begin 480-kilometre walk
The bishop of the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia is embarking on a 480-kilometre walk, from Alert Bay to Victoria, to forge a new relationship with First Nations communities, starting Monday.
Dubbed The Sacred Journey, the walk by Logan McMenamie is meant as an act of penance, both for himself and on behalf of all Anglicans in the diocese.
“When the Anglican church came here 150 years ago as colonial settlers, we failed to recognize that the creator was already here, working in and through the First Peoples of this land,” said McMenamie. “Now we in our generation need to re-enter this land in a new way. Literally and symbolically we will re-enter the land seeking permission to enter each territory and to stay on the traditional lands of these islands’ indigenous peoples.”
The walk takes place during the Christian season of Lent (a 40-day season of penitence and fasting the same length of time Jesus spent in the wilderness).
The bishop, along with his walking partner, Wayne Stewart, will walk in silence for the duration of the journey. Church members, First Nations representatives and community members are expected to join the walk at various points along the route to signify their solidarity and participation.
The walk concludes with worship at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria on Easter Sunday, March 27.
People can follow the bishop’s journey through an interactive map. For more information, go to reentersacredjourney.ca.
Nature project earns youth award
Victoria’s Friends Uniting for Nature Society was recently chosen to share in $1 million in awards in the National Bank’s One for Youth program. It was one of 11 organizations chosen in the province and the only one on Vancouver Island.
This was the third year of the Canada-wide program, which funds youth initiatives. Entries were picked for the diversity and creativity of the projects, as well as the enthusiasm and dedication of their ambassadors.
This year, 186 youth initiatives, which focus on developing entrepreneurial abilities, were chosen. Almost 30,000 young people across Canada will benefit from the various programs.
“National Bank is very proud to support ambitious young people across the country. The winning initiatives, by their positive impacts, will provide powerful leverage at the individual, community and societal levels,” said Kathy Kushner, manager of Wealth Management Solutions Group, B.C. “This initiative embodies the entrepreneurial spirit promoted by the bank, in collaboration with numerous partners. I would like to thank the socioeconomic leaders who helped us select the winning projects.”
The National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada’s leading integrated financial groups with almost 20,000 employees. For more information, go to nbc.ca or funsociety.ca.
Awards honour the city’s leaders
The accomplishments of individuals, organizations and local businesses were honoured at the 12th annual Victoria Leadership Awards, which were announced at a gala ceremony late last month.
The winners in nine award categories are:
Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award honours outstanding long-term service in community leadership roles such as philanthropy, innovation, mentoring and career achievement — Judith Armstrong and Nick Marsden
University of Victoria Community Leadership Award acknowledges outstanding leadership in linking the University of Victoria and the community for greater public benefit — Frank Low
Rotary Community Leadership Award recognizes leadership in community service that demonstrates the highest standards of personal integrity and ethical behaviour — Deborah Antonsen
Coast Capital Savings Youth Leadership Award recognizes a young leader between the ages of 15 and 30 who demonstrates community leadership — Jordan Perrault
Leadership Victoria Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of Leadership Victoria’s Community Leadership Development Program who has demonstrated the principles of leadership while making a significant impact on a community issue or need — Erika Ladouceur
Victoria Foundation Community Leadership Award recognizes an organization that is building community capacity and achieving positive change — Artemis Place
United Way Greater Victoria Award for Collaboration and Partnership recognizes a local non-profit organization that is building community capacity by creating partnerships and collaboration — Ready to Rent B.C.
Royal Roads University Leadership Excellence through Coaching and Mentoring Award recognizes long-term and outstanding service in community leadership roles that specifically focus on coaching and/or mentoring, either professionally or informally — Lily Seto
Vancity Social Innovation Award recognizes leadership that challenges the status quo and develops new approaches to community issues in the areas of social justice, food security and financial empowerment — Amanda Evans
Established in 2004, the leadership awards honour the accomplishments of everyday heroes, recognized for their community leadership, service and achievement. Leadership Victoria is a community-based, volunteer organization committed to developing, supporting, recognizing and honouring outstanding community leaders.
For more information, go to victorialeadershipawards.ca.
Posthumous gold medal granted to sea cadet
A Vancouver Island sea cadet made Canadian history by receiving the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award a year after her untimely death.
Sea cadet Samantha Calder was a chief petty officer second class in the Parksville Sea Cadet Corps and had worked for three years to complete her bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award requirements. She was a three-day camping trip away from completing her award when she was killed in a car crash.
Her parents, Carol and David Calder, received the award on her behalf from Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon at a private reception held at Government House.
It is the first posthumous award of its kind ever given in Canada.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Doug Thomas, executive director of the Navy League of Canada. “They deserve this — and then they can move on, knowing Sam finally got her gold.”
Supporters from across Canada attended the ceremony.
“It’s beautiful. I never thought things like this could happen,” said Carol Calder, as she admired the certificate signed by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Duke’s challenge is a youth achievement program, open to Canadians age 14 to 25, encouraging them to reach their highest potential. For more information, go to navyleague.ca or dukeofed.org.
Chefs whip up donations for Our Place
Hungry Hearts, a fundraiser that featured the epicurean talents of six top local chefs, proved to be a recipe for success for Our Place, raising more than $117,000 last week.
The six chefs were asked to use their culinary expertise and imagination to create the most popular savoury bite. Guests were then invited to vote for their favourite dish.
In a finger-licking finish, chef Takashi Ito of Inn at Laurel Point took home the event’s Top Chef trophy by creating a gourmet aura sushi of torched albacore tuna, side stride shrimp, soy onion salad and togarashi mayo.
The other competing chefs were: Nicholas Waters of Toque catering, Morgan Wilson of the Fairmont Empress, Jason Clifford of Table 21, Brad Holmes of Olo and Dan Cunningham of Truffles Group.
Along with fabulous food, the event included musical entertainment by a jazz trio from the Victoria Conservatory of Music and was hosted by the Inn at Laurel Point.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the community,” said Don Evans, executive director of Our Place. “This strong support will enable us to continue with many of our life-transforming programs and services to assist people in crisis.”
Our Place is an inner-city community centre serving Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable. For more information, go to ourplacesociety.com.
Thousands of socks bound for homeless
There will be 10,000 happy feet in Victoria this week as Congregation Emanu-El starts distributing 5,000 pairs of McGregor socks to people who are homeless and in extreme poverty.
This is the latest donation by McGregor Socks of Toronto for Victoria’s homeless. The company has sent an annual shipment of socks to the congregation for the city’s homeless people since 2007, thanks to a partnership begun by Avodah, the social action group of Congregation Emanu-El. The latest offering brings total donations to more than 60,000 pairs.
Due to the many communities McGregor Socks supports, it asked Avodah to cover a nominal cost per pair this year. In response, Avodah, together with partner Cool Aid, has joined forces with La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Megson-FitzPatrick Insurance, MP Murray Rankin, Michael and Christine Bloomfield, law firms Cook-Roberts and Wadell-Raponi, and accounting firm Hutcheson and Co. to cover the cost.
On Friday, Rabbi Harry Brechner, Cool Aid’s Don McTavish and Avodah volunteers began distributing the first socks from the synagogue, 1461 Blanshard St. The socks will be given to people who are homeless and at risk by 28 local social-service agencies.
For more information, go to congregationemanuel.ca or coolaid.org.
