Staff and residents of a retirement community pitched in with a donation of clothing for the needy as part of Homelessness Action Week, Oct. 7 to 13.
Residents of The Wellesley in Victoria spent September collecting 317 kilograms of gently used clothing, spurred by the thought of preventing Victoria’s vulnerable shivering in the cold this winter.
“The staff and residents gave back to their community — they wanted to make sure that those who needed the clothing, shoes, coats the most would have them for the winter and the following months,” said Stephanie Lumley, recreation manager at the facility.
The Wellesley bus, with some of the residents, delivered 38 bags filled with clothing to Our Place Society last week.
Homelessness Action Week is a week-long campaign held in more than 20 communities in British Columbia and the Yukon.
It began in 2006 as a way to increase participation and public support for solving homelessness by government, the private sector, communities and individuals. The week was proclaimed by the provincial government in 2007 and 2008.
Communities participating in the week include Abbotsford, Metro Vancouver, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Nelson, Whitehorse and Victoria.
For more information, go to stophomelessness.ca.
Fundraising concert to aid toddler with TB
The George Jay School community is holding a concert to support one of their family in a time of desperate need, Friday, Oct. 25, at Norway House.
A toddler — nine-month-old James JJ Brumbach Jr. — is currently on a breathing tube with tuberculosis.
After being hospitalized in the Vancouver Children's Hospital, he is now receiving treatment in Victoria — his condition stable, but requiring around-the-clock medical care.
His grandmother and primary caretaker, Erica Tom, is taking unpaid leave in order to be at his side.
Members of the school community have put together a fundraising concert for the family.
Musical acts such as Boy Leadfoot, Provinces, the Charles Graham Band and violinist Sari Alesh have all offered their services, along with donations by the Gladstone Brewing Company, Cafe Fantastico and Norway House. There will be an opening-of-event ceremony by the Joseph Singers and Dancers, from Esquimalt Nation.
Tickets at the door (cash only). The concert, for those 19 and older, will run 7 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 25, at Norway House, 1110 Hillside Ave. For more information, contact Angela Carmichael, parent advisory chair at George Jay School, 250-383-3837.
Gingerbread Showcase’s tasty debut nears
Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s Gingerbread Showcase, arguably the best-tasting seasonal family event in Victoria, is about to begin.
This is the 11th year of the event, which features edible creations made by master chefs and home bakers.
All the volunteer bakers are vying for the coveted People’s Choice Award, with some bakers reputed to spend more than 100 hours working on miniature works of art.
Gingerbread entries will be designed around this year’s theme: Building a Diverse Community.
The event will feature more than 25 unique creations, all presented in a range of candy colours and will be entirely constructed from edible materials.
Revera, this year’s presenting sponsor, will also be entering some entries in the event.
“Our talented chefs and creative residents along with family and friends can’t wait to see the wonderful designs that will be on display at The Parkside,” said Francis Gagnon, senior vice-president, retirement living, Revera Inc.
More than 30,000 visitors took the opportunity to view the showcase in 2018, raising more than $93,000 to support Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
“Next year is going to be a big year for our build team, with 11 new homes under construction and multiple families working with Habitat toward achieving a safe and affordable place to live,” said Yolanda Meijer, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Victoria. “One hundred per cent of the donations we generate from this event will go directly to supporting Habitat’s affordable homeownership program.”
The event is free to visit. Visitors are encouraged to make a donation when they vote for their favourite creation. The gingerbread houses will be on display 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 16 to Jan. 5, 2020, at the Parkside Hotel and Spa, 810 Humboldt St.
For more information, go to habitatvictoria.com.
No baloney at storytelling event
Listen to baloney on Bologna Day, a storytelling event by the Victoria Storytellers’ Guild, Thursday at the Central Library.
With their tongues firmly in cheek, the members of the guild welcome you to enjoy stories of balderdash, blarney and the birth of a luncheon meat.
No one knows why this day was proclaimed Bologna Day, but it is a good opportunity to listen to a fun bunch of tellers who will regale you with stories from the ridiculous to the delicious (possibly).
“Perhaps it will fill the gap from going cold turkey after the election campaign in the blarney and baloney department,” said Lee Porteous, organizer of the event.
Admission is by donation, with the funds going to the Mustard Seed. The event runs 1 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Community Room at the central branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library, 735 Broughton St.
For more information, email leeporteous@shaw.ca or go to victoriastorytellers.org.
Save your back, let the leaves be
Fall leaves? Leave them, don’t rake them, advises a national conservation group.
One of the most beautiful aspects of fall, the changing colour of leaves, comes with an onerous task: Raking them all up.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada now advises people to leave their rake in the shed and the leaves on the ground — and save yourself some back-breaking yard work.
The not-for-profit land conservation group says leaving fallen leaves in your yard is a small act of nature conservation that can support backyard biodiversity.
Leaves can provide important habitat for many species to hibernate underneath. Many native insects, including pollinators, can benefit from a little neighbourly help from you.
“Backyard animals, such as toads, frogs and many pollinators, once lived in forests and have adapted to hibernate under leaves,” said Dan Kraus, the conservancy’s senior conservation biologist. “The leaves provide an insulating blanket that can help protect these animals from very cold temperatures and temperature fluctuations during the winter.”
Another benefit of not raking your leaves is soil improvement. Kraus points out that as leaves break down, they also provide a natural mulch, which helps enrich the soil. Thick piles can affect the growth of grass and other plants, but a light covering can improve the health of our gardens and lawns.
Don’t stop at leaves.
“Plant stalks and dead branches also provide habitat for many species of insects. By cleaning up our yards and gardens entirely, we may be removing important wintering habitats for native wildlife in our communities.”
A natural garden also benefits migratory and resident birds during the winter.
“Fruits and seeds left on flowers and shrubs are a crucial food source that sustains many songbirds during the winter, including goldfinches, jays and chickadees. Providing winter habitats for our native birds and insects is just as important as providing food and shelter during the spring and summer.”
For more information, go to natureconservancy.ca or Facebook.
Pizza Pigout raises funds for kids’ sport
The host of The Amazing Race Canada is hosting the Jon Montgomery Pizza Pigout, a fundraiser for KidSport Greater Victoria, Thursday at Distrikt.
This is the third year in a row that Montgomery has put his name to what is unofficially called Victoria’s Biggest Pizza Party, raising $110,000 in the past two years.
“Darla [Jon’s wife] and I are thrilled the community has embraced the event and the KidSport cause in such an enthusiastic manner,” said Montgomery, a 2010 Olympic gold medalist. “The organizing committee have a ton of energy for the event and sponsors and supporters have often beaten us to the punch and reach to engage for the following year — amazing.”
The event promises to be a fun, interactive evening that includes all-you-can-eat pizza, silent auction, live auction, raffle prizes, 50/50 draws and a chance to interact with some sport, TV and radio personalities.
Proceeds from the event will enable 400 local children and youth — who would otherwise be limited to the sidelines — the opportunity to join organized sports at almost 200 eligible organizations.
Since 2000, KidSport Greater Victoria has distributed more than $2.86 million in sport registration fees to organizations in Victoria.
General admission tickets are $50 and are valid 6:30 to 9 p.m., VIP tickets are $100 and are valid 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Distrikt nightclub at the Strathcona Hotel, 919 Douglas St. For more information and for tickets, go to jonmontgomerypizzapigout.com.
To learn more about KidSport, go to kidsportcanada.ca.
Rotary Club shares efforts to eradicate polio
Celebrate with the Rotary Club on their efforts to eradicate a deadly disease at two local events ahead of World Polio Day.
The Rotary Club of Saanich is screening the movie Breathe, a biological drama telling the story of Robin Cavendish, who was paralyzed by polio at 28.
Admission by donation (most donations are $20 and up). The screening starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Eric Martin Theatre, 2328 Trent St. For more information, go to portal.club runner.ca/688/Event/polio-fundraiser-film-screening.
• The Rotary Club of Sidney-by-the-Sea is holding an End Polio Now celebration.
Rotarians at the event will share information on the International End Polio Now campaign.
The event is free to attend. It runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Sidney Public Safety Building, 2318 Oakville Ave., Sidney.
For more information, go to portal.clubrunner.ca/688, portal.clubrunner.ca/692 or rotaryvictoria.org.
Find out how to live with arthritis
The Arthritis Society is hosting Understanding Arthritis and Symptom Checker, a free clinic to talk about the disease, Oct. 30 at three locations.
Find out what is really happening in your body. Learn how to self-manage your condition with information on how pain management, medications, exercise and complementary therapies that can help make life easier.
The society will also introduce their online Symptom Checker tool to help you communicate your symptoms with your doctor.
Free admission but registration is recommended. The event runs 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Panorama Recreation Centre, Room 6, 1885 Forest Park Dr., North Saanich; 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the East Sooke Community Hall, 1397 Copper Mine Rd., Sooke and 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Kenmore Room of the Gordon Head Recreation Centre, 410 Lambrick Way.
To register call toll-free 1-866-414-7766 or email registration@bc.arthritis.ca.
For more information, go to arthritis.ca.
Fundraiser benefits Make-A-Wish B.C.
Residents of Vancouver Island helped raise more than $130,000 for Make-A-Wish B.C. and Yukon at the recent UnWined fundraiser.
This was the fourth year of the event, which brings together a variety of island-based brewers, distillers, wineries and food providers.
“We are truly grateful for the generosity of the community,” said Simone Conner, Vancouver Island director for Make-A-Wish B.C. and Yukon. “We had a surprise element this year of a generous matching donation of $50,000 from Jo Campbell. That made a huge difference to our efforts.”
Campbell was born and raised in Victoria and said that it has always been important to her family to support the community in which they live.
“The community was very supportive when we started Thrifty Foods,” said Campbell, “We built the culture of giving back to community into our company. I feel that family is so important and Make-A-Wish allows these children who are critically ill — and their families — to receive an opportunity to experience some real joy. We were thrilled to support UnWined.”
For more information, go to makeawishbc.ca.
