More than 175 women from across Vancouver Island ran five kilometres of trails and tackled 12 demanding obstacles at Victoria’s only all-women charity obstacle adventure race last Sunday.
The region’s first Woman2Warrior event, held at West Shore Parks and Recreation, raised more than $50,000 for Easter Seals camps in B.C. The money raised means that 800 children and young adults with physical and cognitive disabilities can attend summer camps.
This year’s top individual fundraiser was Kairry Nguyen, raising more than $1,700. The top fundraising team was the Wood Gundy Warriors, who raised more than $7,000 collectively.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support we received for the first Woman2Warrior in Victoria,” said Shannon Bernays, director of events for the British Columbia Lions Society for Children with Disabilities, producer of Woman2Warrior. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see over 100 strong, determined, powerful women come together for a cause, and form such a strong community of support for children with disabilities and their families.”
The event is one of a number of fundraisers hosted by the British Columbia Lions Society in support of Easter Seals camps in B.C. For more information, go to lionsbc.ca.
Gulf War veterans’ reunion Wednesday
A veteran of the Persian Gulf War is organizing a reunion on Wednesday to commemorate Canada’s involvement in that conflict 25 years ago.
A similar get-together in Halifax a few weeks ago attracted 45 veterans who haven’t seen each other in years.
“I’m trying to get Canadians to remember this day, since the government and most Canadians don’t remember that we even exist anymore,” said Harold Davis, Gulf War veteran and a Newfoundlander who now lives in Victoria.
He said this is the first time anybody has tried to organize a reunion in the 25 years since the start of the conflict. He is encouraging people to bring along items to be put on display.
The event is open to anyone. It will run 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Langford branch of the Legion, 761 Station Ave.
For more information, go to Canadian Persian Gulf Veterans page on Facebook or email [email protected].
Golf tourney benefits Wounded Warriors
Falcon-Software is holding their annual charity golf tournament and dinner on Friday.
This is the sixth year of the fundraising event, with proceeds to benefit Wounded Warriors Canada. The not-for-profit organization funds programs and services for armed forces personnel, retirees and their families.
According to organizers, this will be their most ambitious event to date, with prizes that include a new car, $2,000 to the tournament winner and prizes at every tee-off hole.
The evening activities include a buffet dinner, entertainment with a stand-up comic and a dance with Black Angus, a high-energy Irish Celtic band.
People can play nine holes of golf (with power cart) for only $65. Cocktails, dinner, auction and live entertainment are $75, or both for $125. Golf starts at 1:30 p.m., dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the Olympic View Golf Club, 643 Latoria Rd.
For more information, go to falcon-software.com/golf2015.
MP, councillor guests at men’s trauma meeting
The Men’s Trauma Centre is holding an annual general meeting featuring Victoria MP Murray Rankin and Coun. Jeremy Loveday as guest speakers on Thursday night.
The non-profit society has been offering support and advice to men, and those who identify as men, for more than 10 years.
It is the only organization of its kind providing individual therapy, group therapy and community-based victim services to men who have experienced trauma. Trauma can be the result of abuse, physical and sexual assault, accidents, combat, injury and traumatic loss. The effects of trauma affects their families as well.
Those who develop post-traumatic stress disorder suffer mental-health issues, which can affect their employment or cause them to turn to addictive and other harming behaviours in order to cope.
Men are less likely than women to seek help, with the societal belief that men should “tough it out” and not ask for help.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the community meeting room of the central branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library, 735 Broughton St. For more information, go to menstrauma.com.
Kids and tennis — a natural combination
Members of the South Island Tennis Association helped introduce 1,250 children to the sport with free tennis lessons over the summer.
This is the second year for Kids At Tennis, a program meant to promote the sport to children who would not otherwise have had the opportunity due to financial barriers faced by their families.
Since May members have been coaching children at community centres in Vic West, Quadra Village, Burnside/Gorge, James Bay, Oaklands, Saanich Neighbourhood Place and Fernwood. They have also been to the Cridge Centre for the Family, Boys and Girls Clubs of Victoria, Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria, Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society, Songhees Nation Wellness Centre and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.
Some of the sessions have been weekly classes spread over the summer, while others have been daily lessons for a week or intermittent two- to three-hour clinics.
Coaches have included Hernan Lizama, Jimmy Costamagna, Lola Dumonceaux, Lily Baines, Johannah Hixson and Al Title. Volunteers, drawn mainly from the association’s membership, assisted the coaches with classes.
Classes will be held September and October at Vic West, Burnside Gorge, Oaklands and Fernwood community centres as well as with City of Victoria Parks and Recreation. Once the weather turns they will conduct classes indoors at a number of schools Esquimalt to Sidney, with West Shore communities in the future. For more information, go to kidsattennis.ca, facebook.com/ SocietyForKidsAtTennis or Twitter @kids_tennis.
Paddling fundraiser aids parents of cancer victims
People in dozens of kayaks, canoes, outriggers and paddle boards will take to the water Saturday for Paddle for Health, a fundraiser for the B.C. Childhood Cancer Parents Association.
“There’s a special feeling you get, paddling with that many people,” said Don Lowther, founder and organizer of the event. “There’s a sense of community when you’re alone in the water, but also moving with others in a common direction. My hope is that our paddlers feel this too, and know that this feeling of support is not unlike what our charity offers.”
Kayaks and canoes are available for those who don’t have one of their own. Paddlers or non-paddlers of all experience levels are welcome.
All funds raised will go towards programs for families of more than 800 children who are fighting cancer and blood disorders in the province. Last year, the unique event raised more than $20,000.
Participation requires a $50 donation, with additional pledge collection expected. Paddlers meet at Willow’s Beach at 8:30 a.m. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. with a paddle to Gyro Park before returning to enjoy a barbecue lunch, noon to 2:30 p.m. To register, go to paddleforhealth.ca.
Paws for a Cause walk Sunday at Clover Point
See friendly faces and wagging tails as animal-lovers take their furry friends for the Paws for a Cause walk next Sunday.
The event, co-sponsored by Scotiabank and the B.C. SPCA, raises funds to help animals in need and fight animal cruelty across British Columbia.
More than 30 communities throughout the province are expected to take part. In Victoria, proceeds from the event will benefit the Victoria and Wild ARC SPCA branches.
“This is the largest single event to help fight animal cruelty in British Columbia,” said Krista Constantineau, B.C. SPCA manager of fundraising events. “We are overwhelmed by the participation each year — it’s so great to see thousands of people come together across the province to help B.C.’s most vulnerable animals.”
Participants will enjoy entertainment and activities after the walk.
Registration opens at 10 a.m., with the walk starting at noon at Clover Point on Dallas Road. To register or donate, visit spca.bc.ca/walk.
House Tour benefit for Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Who will you find in the garden at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s House Tour next Sunday?
This is the 62nd year of the popular self-guided tour, one of the largest fundraisers for the art gallery, where visitors get a chance to lawfully peek around six beautiful Greater Victoria homes.
This year’s theme is The Art of Dramatic Living, which honours the various homeowners’ connections to the performing arts. The homes range from a contemporary residence with a bonsai garden to an 1889 cottage with an expansive flower garden — all reflecting their owners’ appreciation for the arts.
But what sets this house tour apart is its Art in the Garden component, with some of Victoria’s most accomplished artists at work at each location. Artists include Robert Amos, Catherine Moffat, Christine Reimer, Claire Christinel, Nicole Sleeth and Victor Lotto.
Each of the homes, located in Oak Bay, James Bay, Uplands and Arbutus Cove in Saanich, will also be adorned with a floral creation courtesy of the Victoria Floral Artists Guild.
Tickets are $35. The tour runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the art gallery, GardenWorks, Brown’s the Florist and online at aggv.ca/events/ house-tour-2015-tickets. For more information, visit aggv.ca or call 250-384-4171.
Free assessments at Men’s Health Day
Get free health assessments, consultations, and educational materials at the 14th Annual Men’s Health Day, presented by the Prostate Centre Victoria on Saturday.
In Canada, one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Protect yourself with free testing for prostate cancer, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure.
The event runs 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tillicum Centre, 3170 Tillicum Rd. For more information, go to theprostatecentre.org.
Walk an ovarian-cancer awareness campaign
Walk to overcome ovarian cancer at the Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Walk of Hope next Sunday.
September is ovarian cancer awareness month. The walk aims to increase public knowledge of this often overlooked disease, which claims the lives of five women every day. It is Canada’s most fatal women’s cancer because it is difficult to detect and often only discovered in its late stages. There is no screening test for the disease.
“The need for awareness, support and research is crucial,” said Elisabeth Baugh, CEO of the national charity. “Join the walk and make this change for all the women in your life.”
The event takes place in Victoria and 45 communities across Canada. Started in 2002, the walk is a place for survivors and families who have been touched by the disease to form a circle of support.
People can take part in a 2.5 or 5.0-kilometre walk. Registration begins at 9, an opening ceremonies and a warm-up at 9:30 and the start of the walk at 10 a.m. at Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Rd.
For more information, go to ovariancancerwalkforhope.ca.
Walk for ALS aims to be part of the cure
The upcoming Walk for ALS is an opportunity to bring awareness to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neuromuscular disease with no known cure, cause or effective treatment.
The event, which features Peoples Drug Mart as the title sponsor for B.C. and other local sponsors, including the Times Colonist, comes to Victoria next Sunday.
Among the participants will be Jerry Underdown, whose wife Arlene was diagnosed in the spring of 2014. They will be joined by their daughter, Shannon Ngongo-Underdown.
“With Arlene now being an ALS patient, the least I could do to offer support was to participate in the ALS Walk in Victoria, as the event helps provide awareness of this disease, as well as provide the practical opportunity to raise much needed funds,” said Jerry Underdown.
“Shannon sees the Walk for ALS in Victoria as a tremendous opportunity to allow our kids to feel like they can do something to help their Grammie out.”
Proceeds from the event go to the ALS Society of B.C. to fund research and to provide support for those living with ALS.
Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. at Parking Lot 10 of the University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd. The walk starts at 1 p.m. Register free online or on the day of the walk. For more information, go to walkforals.ca.
Hang 10 in Tofino for those living with autism
Children and families living with autism get to Hang 10 and enjoy a day out on the beach and on the water surfing in Tofino at Surf’s Up next weekend.
This is the fourth year of the annual event, sponsored by the Canadian subsidiary of Rip Curl, one of the world’s leading brands for surfing and snowboarding. They also sponsor Canada’s largest surfing competition. For more information, go to ripcurl.com.
