A retired high-tech entrepreneur is spearheading Help India Breathe, a fundraising campaign to support the Canadian Red Cross’s India COVID-19 Response Appeal.
Dr. Surinder Kumar is the former president and CEO of Vecima Networks. Having retired in Victoria, he is taking on philanthropic causes, such as making a substantial donation toward the Rapid Relief Fund last year.
This time, he has pledged to donate $50,000 himself and is offering another $50,000 in matching funds to inspire others to donate to the India campaign.
“I am worried for people in India,” said Kumar. “Any money raised will help the India Red Cross Society alleviate the suffering.”
All money raised will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross’s India COVID-19 Response Appeal.
The funds will support emerging needs in communities, including the distribution of hygienic items and supporting epidemic and infection control; ambulance and transport services; logistics support for quarantine and isolation centres; psychosocial support services, and the maintenance of 89 blood transfusion centres.
• To donate online, go to redcross.ca/india-covid-19-response-appeal/helpindiabreathe. Cheques can be sent to the Canadian Red Cross B.C./Yukon, 3400 Lake City Way, Burnaby B.C. V5A 4Y2. For more information, contact Jennifer Wong fundraisingbc@redcross.ca or 1-800-418-1111.
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The Rotary Club of Victoria-Harbourside has donated $194,000 to fund community programs and projects at 22 charities in the region.
“It’s our strongest year ever for supporting the community,” said Angus Macpherson, club president. “In spite of the challenging times, the club has raised more money than ever via several methods.
“We had two successful raffles and also did well with a garage sale and selling roses. With the support of the business community and, of course, those who bought raffle tickets or roses or great stuff at the garage sale, our fundraising far exceeded expectations.
Of the 22 charities, there were several new recipients, including the Victoria Community Food Hub Society. They provide charitable organizations with Farmbucks, essentially credits that allow the charities to purchase food from the South Island FarmHub at a subsidized rate, making regional fresh produce accessible to vulnerable communities.
The farmers, in turn, are paid a fair price that supports a living wage.
“We are feeling big gratitude for being a recipient of a $15,000 grant from Harbourside Rotary Victoria,” said Lauren Searle, general manager of FarmHub.
“The link between organizations and farmers directly helps to build food security in the CRD. Farmers are supported by bulk purchases and those who face barriers to access are connected to fresh, healthy food.
“We are so thankful that the Rotary is empowering the FarmHub to support both organizations and farmers in our region. The impact of this gift is huge.”
For a complete list of recipients, go to harboursiderotary.org/page/where-we-fund.
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The Canadian Club of Victoria is hosting Combating Loneliness in a Time of Pandemic Isolation, a Zoom meeting open to the public on Tuesday.
The meeting will be led by the Reverend Dr. Eric Partridge, rector at St. Andrew Anglican Church, Sidney. His doctoral thesis was on the effects of loneliness and how to respond.
He will talk about how chronic loneliness is harder on the body than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness affects our bodies and minds and Partridge will speak on what we can do about it.
The meeting is free to join, but registration is required. The meeting runs from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, or to register, go to thecanadianclubofvictoria.com.
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Join thousands of fellow British Columbians walking their own way for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, now until the end of the month
Participants can set their own walking or fitness challenge and are encouraged to get creative and ensure their participation adheres to current provincial health guidelines.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has registered for the walk so far and are impressed by the adaptability and innovation they have displayed when it comes to supporting British Columbians on the dementia journey,” said Cathryn France, director of resource development at the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
“The funds they raise are instrumental to ensuring that people affected by dementia have the tools to live their best life possible. With dementia numbers rising, more supports are needed and we urge all Victoria residents to consider taking part in this event.”
Residents who are unable to take part in the month of activity can register for an online auction in support of the event at alzbc.org/auction.
Everybody can join in on an online celebration on the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Facebook account at 4 p.m. on Sun. May 30.
For more information, or to register, go to walkforalzheimers.ca.
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Help make Victoria a more welcoming city by lending your voice and opinions to help the City of Victoria formulate its Welcoming City Strategy.
Residents are invited to share their experiences to ensure the initiative reflects their collective voice, vision and values.
“Council is committed to helping create a city where everyone feels welcomed, accepted, safe and has the opportunity to prosper,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “The Welcoming City Strategy is intended to remove barriers to city services and foster a compassionate and neighbourly community where all residents experience a sense of belonging, and where we tackle racism and discrimination head-on.”
A council-appointed Welcoming City Task Force, co-chaired by Helps and Coun. Sharmarke Dubow, has been formed, made up of people who reflect Victoria’s increasingly diverse population.
The task force will assess Victoria against an international welcoming standard, which helps cities become more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs.
The standard is organized into seven categories: government leadership, civic engagement, equitable access, education, connected communities, economic development and safe communities.
People can also provide feedback on ideas for the strategy in an online survey in June. A draft will be presented to the council for consideration in the fall.
From now until May 30, the community can go to the City of Victoria’s Have Your Say online engagement platform to share their stories.
For more information, go to engage.victoria.ca.
