Everybody learns something when seniors from Berwick House Royal Oak and students in Marjorie Ireton Roach's Grade 1 class get together.
The older folks enjoy the youthful exuberance, while the children learn the patience and wisdom that come with years.
Most of all, though, old and young have a lot of fun doing things like reading, playing games and making crafts.
Roach and her class at Strawberry Vale Elementary School have been meeting regularly with the group they call their "Berwick grandparents" since last fall. She said she's had similar classroom programs in the past, and they've always led to good experiences on both sides.
This year, Roach compiled information along with students' drawings and stories to enter a competition organized by the B.C. Retired Teachers Association. The Strawberry Vale students emerged as one of only three winning classes in B.C., coming in third out of 17 applicants.
That earned Roach and her class a Golden Star Award, which they received last week from members of the teachers' group.
"Every month we go and see the seniors," Roach said. "And it's really nice for them to come here, too."
At a recent visit to Strawberry Vale by the residents, Berwick House recreation manager Debby Macmurchie said the school program has been a hit with everyone involved.
"It's really been neat to see how the residents have interacted with the students. They're all keen and interested, and they totally look forward to it. There are some that don't have grandchildren at all, so this is a whole different experience."
She said the school program "is something that brings out the child in everyone."
Berwick resident Margaret Caldecott has grandchildren of her own, but said she enjoys spending time with the Strawberry Vale students, too.
"I think it's fabulous. I love children."
Tappy Hone said her grandchildren live in Vancouver and Calgary, so seeing the Strawberry Vale youngsters suits her.
"There's so much to do. We have a lot of fun."
Next up for the seniors and students is a picnic at Berwick House on June 10.
Benefit helps schools in Haiti
The Queenswood retreat centre is hosting a benefit concert Saturday, June 5, to fund the rebuilding of schools and hospitals run by the Sisters of St. Ann in Haiti.
Haiti continues to recover from the effects of a devastating earthquake that struck in January.
The Sisters of St. Ann are a religious order with a long history in Victoria and at the Queenswood site on Arbutus Road. Local members have close ties to the sisters working in Haiti.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. and will feature cellist Allannah Dow and guitarist Michael Waters. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Lyle's Place, Larsen Music or the Queenswood facility at 2494 Arbutus Rd. Donations can also be made at queenswoodvictoria.ca/support.
Contact 250-477-3822 (ext. 0).
Hatter run kicks off tea party
The Mad Hatter 3K Fun Run is back to set the pace at the Oak Bay Tea Party.
The annual run precedes the lineup of bands, floats and community groups along the route of the Tea Party Parade on June 5. Athletes start from Windsor Park at 10:15 a.m. and wind their way through Oak Bay's streets before ending up at Willows Park.
The Tea Party, now in its 48th year, runs June 5-6 at Willows Park, off Beach Drive.
As in past years, the Mad Hatter event will help people in need through the Victoria Cool Aid Society. Funds and hygiene products collected will go to the Every Step Counts running program and Sandy Merriman House, a facility for women.
Register at Frontrunners at 1200 Vancouver St. or at Windsor Park on the morning of the run.
Soccer marathon for MS
The MS Kick for the Cure has brought in more than $170,000 in the past four years, and the 2010 event on June 5 promises to be another successful fundraising effort in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
The MS Kick for the Cure is a marathon 10-hour soccer game organized by Kevin and Darcie James. Three youth games are also played.
The event was created after Darcie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and battled severe symptoms of the neurological disease.
Darcie and Kevin, a long-time Division 1 player in the Vancouver Island Soccer League, have had plenty of support from the soccer community, including the Victoria Highlanders.
The Highlanders are not only gold-level sponsors, they will host a youth "mini-game" in support of the MS Kick for the Cure at halftime of their cross-town match with Victoria United next month. Players for the mini-game will be selected from youth participants in the MS Kick for the Cure. To make a donation or for more information, e-mail Kevin James at [email protected] or go to mskickforthecure.com. The adult portion of the event is full, but a waiting list is being taken.
Partnership Walk one of 10
Victoria's annual World Partnership Walk begins at 11:30 a.m. today at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park.
There is no registration fee for the five-kilometre walk from the bandshell to Clover Point and back, but donations will be accepted during the event. The Victoria walk is one of 10 being held across the country in support of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and its programs to help impoverished areas of the world.
Local Rotary clubs will lead the singing of the national anthem prior to the walk, and participants will be treated to a 12:30 p.m. lunch, courtesy of the Topaz Avenue Sikh Temple, Ali Baba Pizza and Thrifty Foods.
Entertainment will be provided by Wontanara Drum and Dance at 12:30 p.m. and celebrated tenor Ken Lavigne at 1:30 p.m.
Strollers looking to support a worthy cause today can also line up for the Great Strides Walk, which sets out at 10 a.m. from the Royal Roads University Recreation Centre. The walk supports the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
One of the walk's big supporters is Paul Underhill, who has CF. He recently turned 40 and is intent on marking the occasion by raising $40,000 for the CF foundation this year.
