Are you willing to take a pie in the face — and make a video of it — all in the name of charity?
The food bank shelves at the Mustard Seed need to be restocked, prompting a tried and true fundraiser, with a modern twist. The premise behind Fighting Hunger … One Pie at a Time is simple: Take a pie in the face for donations of food and money. Here is the fun part — issue a challenge to friends, colleagues, other businesses and organizations to do the same.
A few years ago, that normally that would be the end of it. But we now live in the age of social media.
Organizers are asking people to make a video to share on social media. The idea is that others who may click on the link would themselves be inspired to do the same, and donate to the Mustard Seed.
If it catches on, they hope the campaign will raise $100,000 in cash and collect 100,000 pounds of food to replenish the shelves, which are typically sparse in the early fall.
On Saturday, a number of people in the community, including local politicians, business leaders and representatives from the police and fire departments, lined up to take one in the face to launch the campaign.
The launch party, held at the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson, saw local bakeries competing for the People’s Choice Award for best pie, face painting, balloon artists, pictures with Superheroes of Victoria and lots of pie in the face — all videotaped.
People can spread news of the event using the hashtag #YYJpie-off.
The challenge culminates at a weigh-in and collection day, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Mustard Seed, 625 Queens Ave. For more information, go to mustardseed.ca.
Puppies and parties — a great combination
B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs is holding a Puppy Appreciation Party today for people who have contributed to the organization’s Puppy Sponsorship Program.
Under the program, donors receive personalized letters and photos from their sponsored puppies as they grow up to become guide dogs or autism support dogs. Trained guide dogs cost up to $35,000 to raise and train — but are provided at no cost to recipients, typically blind and visually-impaired people and children with autism.
According to the organization, it costs donors less than a cup of coffee a day to sponsor a puppy.
Today, donors will get an opportunity to meet Polly, Charlotte and Dora, three pups who are being raised and trained in Victoria. Donors will also have an opportunity to meet with one of the organization’s autism support dog recipients and his family.
Founded in 1996, B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs provides guide dogs and autism support dogs for citizens of British Columbia and Alberta. For more information, go to bcguidedog.com.
Climb commemorates Terry Fox’s bravery
Two weeks ago, a group of 60 people hiked up Mount Terry Fox for the first time, partly in celebration of the 35th anniversary of his Marathon of Hope.
Some of the group, made up of members of Fox’s family and supporters of the Terry Fox Foundation, took up to 14 hours to return from a hike to the peak of the 2,650-metre mountain.
The mountain is located in the Selwyn Range in the Rockies and within the boundaries of 1,930-hectare Terry Fox Provincial Park. The park and mountain were named in his honour in 1981. The park is located adjacent to the west boundary of Mount Robson Provincial Park, near the community of Valemount, about three hours from Prince George.
Although the family had been at the dedication of the park in 1981, they had been flown to a plateau on the mountain (where a commemorative plaque is located) by helicopter.
Due to the challenging conditions, with steep and rough sections in the narrow trail, only about half of the party made it to the top. They started the trek at 6 a.m. under favourable weather conditions. Participants ranged in age from teenagers to individuals in their 70s.
The Terry Fox Run takes place today at three locations in Greater Victoria. For more information, go to terryfox.org. For information on the park, go to env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/ parkpgs/mt_terry.
Free dental care for patients most in need
Up to 100 people will be smiling after seeing Dr. C. Ross Crapo and his sixth annual Dentistry from the Heart event, with free emergency dental care for people in need on Saturday.
He will be assisted by Dr. Ngan Huynh, Dr. Peter Liem, Dr. John Keyes, Dr. Michael Bennett and a support team of up to 40.
“Victoria has been very good to me and our entire team,” said Crapo. “This is simply our best way to give back to those most in need.”
The dental outreach program invariably brings renewed smiles, relief from dental pain and a warm sense of gratitude from patients.
In the past five years, the event has helped more than 275 people with more than $140,000 worth of free dental care.
Registration for the event starts at 8:45 a.m. with patients seen until 5 p.m. at 206-4400 Chatterton Way. Care will be provided on a first come, first served basis after the first 50 appointments are scheduled. Call 250-383-3368 for advance scheduling. For more information, go to dentistryfromtheheart.org.
Test-drive a Lincoln, help women and kids
Take a Lincoln on a test drive on Thursday in Nanaimo and help women fleeing domestic violence or abuse.
The 940 members of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, local dealer Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln and franchisor Lincoln Motor Co. are hosting Driven to Give.
Lincoln has pledged to donate $50, up to a maximum of $10,000, for every test drive taken on Thursday.
They hope to raise $10,000 for Haven Society, a Nanaimo-based organization that offers sanctuary to women, children and families fleeing domestic violence or abuse.
“When Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln approached us regarding Driven to Give, we immediately recognized that it was a perfect partnering opportunity for us,” said VIREB director Janice Stromar. “When we sat down to choose the charity, Haven Society was first on the list.”
The real estate board has a long relationship with Haven Society, having supported the organization for many years. However, Driven to Give provides an enhanced opportunity to help raise funds and awareness.
“Driven to Give has such potential to make a difference for women and children in our community who are escaping violent home environments,” said Kaye Broens, a VIREB director.
The fundraising event will also include a by-donation barbecue, balloons, baked goods, music and more. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the VIREB office, 6374 Metral Dr., Nanaimo. Preregistration is encouraged. Visit the Driven to Give registration page at lincolndriventogive.ca/ en/havensociety/Register. For more information, go to vireb.com.
Ballroom-dance event to aid doctors in Cambodia
You can waltz the night away — and raise money to improve the health of over a million Cambodians — at the Dancing for Doctors fundraiser on Saturday.
There will be wine, appetizers, door prizes and a group of ballroom dancers who have agreed to assist people in learning a few dance steps.
The dance, in support of the Lake Clinic in Tonle Sap, Cambodia, is hosted by local physician Dr. Suzanne Montemuro, Leanne Engen of ScotiaMcLeod and the K.I.D.S. International Development Society.
The clinic, staffed by small group of local health professionals, look after people who live in floating villages on the shores of the lake, located near the historic temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
In 2008 the founders of KIDS, a Nanaimo-based charity, became aware of the work done at the clinic and have been assisting them ever since.
In February, Montemuro, a retired physician, volunteered her time, working and mentoring the health-care workers at the clinic.
“I saw first-hand the very necessary work they perform to the nearly million Cambodians who work to survive on Tonle Sap Lake,” said Montemuro.
She said that through available health care, better education and access to clean water, infant mortality has dropped dramatically in the region since 2008.
Tickets are $35, which includes a beverage, light refreshments and an entry for a door prize. The dance runs from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Royal Colwood Golf Club, 629 Goldstream Ave.
For tickets, email [email protected] more information, go to kidsdevelopmentsociety.org.
A classy evening to help fight cancer
Prepare to tickle your taste buds at Bubbles and Bites, Popping Corks for the Cure!, an inaugural event hosted by DFH Real Estate to benefit the B.C. Cancer Foundation on Thursday.
The evening includes bubbly drinks, bubbly tastings, small savoury plates from the award-winning chefs of the Marina Restaurant, a live auction, silent auction and a memory Bubble Wall to honour cancer sufferers.
The real estate company is hosting the event in honour of Dominic Francis Hanley, founder of DFH Real Estate, who lost his life to cancer in 2014.
Proceeds from the event will go towards research on immunotherapy at the foundation.
Tickets $150. The event runs 7 to 10 p.m. at the Marina Restaurant at Oak Bay Marina, 1327 Beach Dr. Dress code is cocktail attire. For more information, go to bubblesandbites.ca.
Low-cost dental work, courtesy of Camosun
The Dental Hygiene Clinic at Camosun College offers low-cost professional dental hygiene care to the public.
Dental-hygiene students working at the clinic have been serving the community for more than 25 years. They have earned a reputation of providing gentle, personalized and professional care to patients. The students perform work fully supervised by the experienced faculty.
Preventive services include full assessments, removal of deposits, polishing, fluoride, X-rays and application of sealants.
People need to book a free 30-minute screening session to assess which services may be required.
New client appointments are $60. Children do not require a screening appointment and parents may book hygiene appointments for children at a maximum cost of $20 per child. The clinic is open Monday to Friday. For more information, go to camosun.ca/ smile, email [email protected] or call 250-370-3184.
Film chronicles fight against deadly disease
National Mitochondrial Disease Week starts Monday and runs until next Sunday. People wishing to learn more about the disease can attend a screening of a documentary film on Monday.
Victoria resident Christine Knox, who suffers from the disease, is featured in Brian Barnard’s documentary film Every Stitch Counts, Christine’s Story.
The film is an inspirational journey of two women who share their stories about living with this devastating disease. Filmmaker Brian Barnard and Knox will be on hand for a question-and-answer session after the screening.
Mitochondrial disease kills more children than all pediatric cancers combined. It affects one in 4,300 people. There is no cure or effective treatment.
Admission is $10. Doors open at 6:45, The film starts at 7 p.m. Monday at Esquimalt High School, 847 Colville Rd. For more information, contact Brian Barnard at 250-721-1401.
Quadra association AGM Tuesday
The Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association is holding their general meeting on Tuesday.
Don Evans, executive director as Our Place Society, will be appearing as guest speaker. His topic will be Homeless: Transformation Through Compassion.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Senior’s Wing at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Rd. For more information, call 250-384-5190.1
