Raise funds to benefit the B.C. Lions Society’s Easter Seals Camping Program while discovering your inner warrior in the first Woman2Warrior event in Victoria, which takes place next Sunday.
The event is a women’s-only charity obstacle adventure race. The non-timed run covers about five kilometres of trails littered with obstacles to test strength, agility, balance, and sense of adventure.
People can enter as an individual or as a team, but each person must raise a minimum $300 to participate.
There are awards and prizes for the top overall fundraisers and finishers.
“With the tremendous success of Woman2Warrior in Vancouver since 2013, we wanted to bring the same experience to Victoria and raise funds for Easter Seals BC in a fun, supportive way that invites all women to participate,” said Shannon Bernays, director of special events for the B.C. Lions Society. “Woman2Warrior is designed for women of all ages and fitness levels. The obstacle race is meant to push boundaries and help women step out of their comfort zone — much like our Easter Seals campers.”
At Vancouver’s Woman2Warrior this past May, more than 300 participants helped raise $125,000. The event has raised more than $389,000 since its inception in 2013.
Registration costs $35, which includes a technical shirt, finisher’s gift, and prizes for the top overall fundraisers and best costumes.
Registration and bib pick-up starts at 9 a.m. with participants leaving in waves from 10 a.m. to noon. The finisher’s area, with food and refreshments is open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event takes place at the West Shore Parks and Recreation, 1767 Island Hwy.
For more information, go to victoria.woman2warrior.ca.
Hospital auxiliary wheels in high-tech stretcher
Staff and patients to the Victoria General Hospital’s Emergency Department got an early Christmas present in the form of a state-of-the-art stretcher.
The stretcher was purchased by $12,000 raised by the Victoria General Hospital Auxiliary through their Poinsettias3Patients campaign, which took place through the past holiday season.
The powered stretcher means medical staff no longer have to pump a pedal to raise and lower patients. There are even controls to allow patients to change their position, eliminating the need to summon staff to help. It also weighs the occupant, which reduces the workload further on staff.
Emergency department physician Dr. Chris Hall pointed out that the thick and comfortable mattress would mean a lot to patients who sometimes have to spend hours waiting for treatment, tests, or a room.
The 2015 version of Poinsettias4Patients is already underway, with proceeds from this year’s campaign going to purchased a treadmill for the Neuro-Rehabilitation department.
The plants are grown on Vancouver Island and are long-lasting.
The plants cost between $7 and $35. For an extra $10 people can have them delivered in time for the holidays. They can be ordered through the Victoria General Auxiliary’s website: vgha.ca, and picked up in early December.
$40,000 in awards aid Pacific salmon projects
Four Pacific salmon projects in the Victoria area recently shared in more than $40,000 awarded by the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
The projects support education, training and habitat rehabilitation. They include:
• Stewards of the Future Conference — Hosted by the Government House Foundation, the conference is a training session for 120 secondary-school students studying sustainable resource management.
• Community Restoration of Douglas Creek — Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society will continue their work to improve fish habitat in this important creek.
• Swan Creek Capital City Allotment Gardens Restoration Project — The Peninsula Streams Society will be improving fish habitat in Swan Creek in Saanich.
• Colquitz River Habitat Restoration — The Peninsula Streams Society will make improvements to Colquitz River salmon habitat.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Community Salmon Program is funded primarily from sales of the federal government’s Salmon Conservation Stamp, a decal that must be purchased annually by anglers if they wish to keep Pacific salmon caught in saltwater off the West Coast.
All proceeds from the $6 stamp are returned to British Columbia, generating about $1 million for community grants annually.
Money is also raised through fundraising dinners, auctions and donations from individuals, foundations and businesses. Several businesses and foundations also contribute to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s community salmon program.
“The Community Salmon Program captures the essence of what we are trying to do at the Foundation,” said Dr. Brian Riddell, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “Government, business, First Nations and volunteers all working together - that is the best way to ensure the future of wild Pacific salmon.”
For more information, go to psf.ca.
Local celebs taking part in Rowing Challenge
Row with a star athlete or local celebrities or race solo at the first Victoria Harbour Rowing Challenge on Saturday.
The event, hosted by Mercy Ships Canada, is a fundraiser in partnership with the Whitehall Spirit Rowing Club of Victoria.
People can pull stroke-by-stroke beside Olympic gold medalists Adam Kreek and Dominic Seiterle, Team Canada rugby star Tiffany Picketts, Empress Hotel chef Anthony Young or former NHLer Geoff Courtnall.
All monies raised will go towards providing free health care in Madagascar through the world’s largest charity hospital ship, Africa Mercy.
“We are so excited to be partnering with Whitehall on the race,” said Colleen Sullivan, Mercy Ships Canada’s manager of advancement.
“It’s really a win-win. The participants get to come out and learn a new activity, meet some local celebrities and hopefully win some fantastic prizes. Meanwhile, all the money raised in this event will change people’s lives in Madagascar.”
During the ship’s stay in the port of Toamasina, Madagascar, volunteer health professionals plan to provide perform more than 2,200 surgeries on adult and children on board, treat more than 10,000 at a land-based dental clinic and provide holistic healthcare education to local health care professionals.
In Saturday’s race, people can team up with an elite rower in a double-seat boat, row solo in a single-seat boat or paddle a stand-up paddle board.
Competitors will race a 3-kilometre course, with an post-race party at Lido Waterfront Bistro. Prizes for people who raise the most money and winners in each category.
The races begin at 10 a.m. at the Whitehall Row dock, next to Lido Waterfront Bistro, 1234 Wharf St.
Fundraising goals of $500 to race solo or $1,000 to row tandem with an elite rower. People can also donate without rowing. Racers receive three lessons as well as complimentary tickets to an after-race party.
People can purchase tickets just for the after-race party. Tickets are $15 and include entry, complimentary appetizers, drink specials, meet and greet with the rowers and the chance to win great door prizes. The party runs noon to 3 p.m. at Lido Waterfront Bistro. For more information, go to mercyships.ca/row-paddle-race-donate.
Sally Ann needs help sending kids to school
The Salvation Army is looking for support from the community to ensure 300 children in need go back to school with backpacks full of essential supplies.
They are asking the public for: Donations of new school supplies or cash donations; To organize a group to raise funds or collect school supply donations; Volunteer to help pack, organize school supplies or fill backpacks.
“The Salvation Army is here to support low income families with the high cost of going back to school through this effort,” said Pat Humble, community ministries director for The Salvation Army Stan Hagen Center for Families.
“We look to our community to come alongside these families and The Salvation Army to help build a better future. We wish to thank everyone who helps make this possible because we believe in giving hope today for our heroes of the future.”
The last few years has seen an increase in demand with the amount of families requiring support, especially during this time of year.
The Salvation Army aims to provide children with the necessary tools needed in order to have a successful year with a new backpack and school supplies.
People can drop off donations at The Salvation Army Stan Hagen Center for Families, 2695 Quadra St. until Sep. 4. For more information, go to salvationarmy.ca.
Naval museum on lookout for pieces of history
The CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum is looking for pictures for a special project to commemorate the history of the establishment of l’école Brodeur school in what are now Museum Buildings 20 and 29 at Naden.
The school got its start in 1973 by military personnel who wanted to give their children an education delivered in the French language. The little school was at that time the only public school for Francophone students of all ages in Victoria. It subsequently grew in size and scope and relocated to its current home at 637 Head St., where it continues to serve the community.
To celebrate the history of the school, the museum is appealing for pictures of the school and its students from that era taken by former staff members, students or their parents.
The plan is to scan the photos to develop a display that captures the unique history of the educational establishment.
Please contact Clare Sharpe, museum exhibit designer, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, at 250-363-4312 or webmaster@ navalandmilitarymuseum.org.
