Victoria Hospice has kicked off its annual Celebrate a Life campaign, an opportunity for the community to celebrate loved ones during the holiday season, Thursday at Hillside Shopping Centre.
This is the 31st year of the event, which features a tree where people are encouraged to hang a personalized tribute ornament in memory of a loved one no longer with us.
The first person to hang an ornament this year was Sophie, a philanthropic four-year-old who has been raising funds since the age of two in memory of her beloved grandpa, who had spent his last few weeks at Victoria Hospice.
She was joined shortly after by 93-year-old philanthropist Rudi Hoenson. Hoenson has pledged to donate $2 (up to $5,000) for every tribute hung on the festive tree or online at the virtual Celebrate a Life tree.
Christmas and the winter holiday season can be a difficult time of the year for many people.
“Memories of past celebrations with family and friends who are no longer here can magnify feelings of loss,” said Mischelle vanThiel, CEO of the organization. “It can be helpful to share your concerns, feelings and apprehensions with someone. Let people know what is difficult for you, and accept offers of help.”
The event supports Victoria Hospice’s commitment to care through bereavement services offered to family members and friends after a death.
The tree will be located across from the Bombay store (near the Shoppers Drug Mart entrance) at Hillside Shopping Centre, 1644 Hillside Ave., until Dec. 12. For more information, go to victoriahospice.org.
Soap for Hope can help the less fortunate
Give the gift of cleanliness for someone living on the streets or in a shelter by donating to the Season of Hope Campaign. It is hosted by Soap for Hope, a program of Disaster Aid Canada.
The program puts together hygiene kits, which consist of 15 essential products, such as soap, shampoo, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, nail clippers and Chapstick.
The kits will be distributed to people living on the street or through shelters.
“The kits are made personal by having donors hand-write a Christmas card to someone in need,” said Anne McIntyre, executive director of the organization. “This truly gives recipients hope, knowing that someone is thinking of them this holiday season.”
Every $20 in donations ensures a person in need receives a hygiene kit. Donors can choose to send a personal message in a card included in every kit.
People can drop off cash or in-kind donations at an open house at the organization. The event runs 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, at the office/warehouse, 426 William St.
Donations can also be made online at canadahelps.org (search for Disaster Aid Canada) or over the phone at 778-265-8821.
For more information, go to disasteraid.ca.
Vote for or against a bushy beard
Love bushy beards? Hate them? Now is your chance to have your say, and help raise as much as $10,000 for the Victoria Cool Aid Society.
Two years ago, Brian Bates asked his friends and associates to vote for him to shave or save his full beard — which took him a year to grow. Everybody was asked to make a donation with every vote — for and against.
Bates raised more than $2,700 for the Victoria Cool Aid Society, with the Beard On voters winning — by a whisker.
This year, Bates, 32, has convinced two other men — Nicholas Johnson and Braeden Papp — to join him and offer up their glorious beards, as well. Their goal is to raise $10,000.
“Homelessness affects us all,” said Bates, who was born and grew up in Victoria. “The Victoria Cool Aid Society, which runs supportive housing and shelters, is near and dear to my heart.”
Beard On/Beard Off: 2 launched on Friday and runs until Jan. 13.
Visit Facebook.com/beardonoff or coolaid.org/beard-beard-off-2.
Take a spin for the United Way
Volvo Car Canada will donate $25 to the United Way for every test drive taken at its 24 dealerships across Canada, now until Dec. 31.
During the Thoughtful Test Drive promotion, the Volvo salesperson will demonstrate how safe the vehicles are. The manufacturer will demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility by donating as much as $100,000 to help those in need.
The money raised from each test drive stays in the local community. Additionally, customers and individual dealerships will have an opportunity to match donations for each test drive.
“It is a wonderful initiative,” said Heather Skydt, marketing and communications director for United Way Greater Victoria. “It allows us to engage with our donors in a new way. It would be wonderful if as many people as possible did a test drive in Greater Victoria.”
To see a brief promotional video, go to volvocars.com/ en-ca/thoughtful-test-drive#video.
Test drives can be taken at Jim Pattison Volvo of Victoria, 2735 Douglas St. For more information, go to jpvolvoofvictoria.ca or uwgv.ca.
Local boy is junior host of telethon
Saanich resident and Easter Seals camper Tristan Piercey will be a junior host at the Easter Seals B.C./Yukon’s annual Timmy’s Christmas Telethon.
The four-hour telethon features local musical guests, celebrity appearances and inspiring stories showcasing some of the many families supported by Easter Seals B.C./Yukon.
Tristan will assist the hosts with cheque presentations, and encourage viewers to call in and donate.
Proceeds from the telethon and other fundraising initiatives send approximately 800 children with disabilities to attend week-long, fully accessible, overnight camps in Shawnigan, Winfield and Squamish.
The telethon runs 6 to 10 p.m. today on Shaw TV and its affiliate stations throughout British Columbia. The event will also be streamed live online at timmys.org.
Mustard Seed needs a hand this season
December presents three opportunities to help the Mustard Seed over the holiday season.
• Help out with the annual Turkey Drive. With less than two weeks to fulfil an order of 1,200 birds, the food bank is short of its goal. Consider purchasing a bird or making a cash donation toward one.
• Give yourself a gift by attending the Huron Carole with Tom Jackson, an evening filled with music, storytelling and Christmas spirit.
Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Centennial United Church, 612 David St. Tickets are at the Mustard Seed, online at EventBrite or McPherson Box Office (service charges apply) or at the door.
• The Mustard Seed is also in need of more volunteers, with various positions available. They include support for Christmas gift wrap at shopping malls and help for their warehouse expansion and food-rescue project.
For more information, go to mustardseed.ca, call 250-220-6991 or email [email protected]
Marinas fill carts with food for needy
The Oak Bay Marine Group delivered more than 860 kilograms of food and other goods to the Mustard Seed Food Bank last week.
This follows its Deck the Dock Cart challenge last season — a competition where staff and customers filled numerous festively decorated dock carts with items.
“It was a fun way to get people involved around the marinas,” said Brook Castelsky, chief operating officer. “This year, we hope it grows to double or triple what we did last year, and we encourage everyone to stop by one of our marinas to give to this great cause.”
The second Deck the Dock Cart Challenge started last week and runs until Dec. 20 at the group’s Oak Bay, North Saanich, Pedder Bay and Ladysmith marinas.
For more information, go to obmg.com.
Pet pictures aid rescue group
Get a picture taken of your furry best friend at Pet Pictures With the Grinch, with proceeds to benefit Broken Promises Rescue.
Pictures are $15 — posted on the web to download or by email. The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Bosley’s Pet Food Plus, 104-4478 West Saanich Rd. and the same time Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Bosley’s store at Westshore Mall, 2955 Phipps Rd.
For more information, go to brokenpromisesrescue.com.
Hit a high note with Newcombe Singers
The Newcombe Singers are looking for sopranos, altos, and especially tenors and basses to join the fun in the new spring session, starting Jan. 3.
In 2017, the choir begins work on an all-Canadian program for its spring concert, marking the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.
Sight-reading is a bonus, but not a requirement. There are no auditions, but support and encouragement for your musical growth.
The Newcombe Singers is Victoria’s oldest community choir singing in four-part harmony.
Cost is $75 per session or $150 per year. Registration at 7 p.m., rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at St. Mary the Virgin Church, 1701 Elgin Rd.
For more information, go to newcombesingers.com.
New album features Victoria singers
Singers from Victoria’s Viva Youth Voices are featured in Listen To Our Story/Ecoutez Notre Histoire, a new children’s album that features songs written by English, French and First Nations students across Canada.
The album is free to download at rikleaf.bandcamp.com/album/ songs-from-schools-listen-to-our-story-coutez-notre-histoire.
Anniversary celebrated with sing-along
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church’s 150-year celebrations continue with a carol sing-along and presentations by musicians, Dec. 15.
The church, which is older than Canada, has been celebrating throughout the year with a variety of events, including organ recitals, musicians in the sanctuary, opening the church during the week to visitors, a congregational dinner and a display of historical pictures in the narthex when entering the church on Douglas Street.
To continue the marking of its years, the church will host a carol sing-along Dec. 15.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. With the program running from noon to 1:15 p.m. at the church, 680 Courtney St. A hot apple drink and cookies will be offered to everyone.
For more information, call 250-384-5734 or standrewsvictoria.ca.
Don’t be shy at the Pyjama Prance
Lace up your runners for the second annual Pyjama Prance, a two- or five-kilometre fun run/walk today.
The event is a fundraiser for the Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society, with participants running or walking through the streets of Esquimalt in pajamas.
There will be a pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Esquimalt Lions Club and Country Grocer, live Christmas music by Ron Berod, medals and other surprises at the finish line. The pancake breakfast is also available to non-participants by donation.
Registration for this event is a minimum of five food items and/or a suggested donation of $10. The event runs 9 a.m. to noon at Esquimalt United Church, 500 Admirals Rd.
For more information, email [email protected].
