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Community: Power To Be’s Tim Cormode gets top honour

Tim Cormode, founder and CEO of Power To Be, is set to be inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in October.
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Power To Be executive director Tim Cormode with musician Sarah McLachlan.

Tim Cormode, founder and CEO of Power To Be, is set to be inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in October.

The honour is in recognition of almost 30 years of contributions that Cormode has made in the world of youth and families with barriers.

An outdoor enthusiast and a former camp counsellor supporting young adults with disabilities, Cormode founded Victoria-based Power To Be in 1998. The non-profit helps people of varying abilities to build confidence, make connections and achieve their dreams while taking part in adventures rooted in nature.

“It was a real surprise to be nominated,” said Cormode.

“It is a great honour to be considered, in the same league as Rick Hansen and Terry Fox, who have been an inspiration to me.”

Since its inception, Power To Be programs have helped more than 11,000 children and youth to learn new skills and reach their full potential through a variety of adapted outdoor activities.

“This honour speaks to the perseverance and hard work that has gone into the many years of working in this sector trying to make it better, and more meaningful for people living with barriers,” said Cormode.

“This award is not just about me, but all of our team of committed staff and volunteers who have taken us here.”

The ceremony takes place at Metro Hall in Toronto on Oct. 29.

• For more information, go to powertobe.ca.

Hiking challenge supports those with dementia

You can join the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s 70,000-kilometre virtual hiking challenge to support people living with dementia.

In the past eight years, committed individuals and teams have climbed North Vancouver’s Grouse Grind every September as part of the Climb for Alzheimer’s annual fundraiser.

For the first time ever, the event will be open to anyone, anywhere in the province. This year’s event will include hikes across B.C. — from Mount Douglas in Victoria to the Summit Peak Trail in Fort Nelson.

The society is inviting the community to come together to hike a total of 70,000 kilometres — one kilometre for each individual living with dementia in B.C.

“Although the location has changed and adapted, the heart of the event remains,” says Maria Howard, Alzheimer Society of B.C. CEO. “The Climb continues to be a challenging, fun, invigorating event that makes a real difference to people in our province affected by dementia. It shows people living with dementia that they are not alone.”

Participants can register as individuals or as a team. Everybody is encouraged to share their hiking and climbing challenges online, which will help to galvanize the community spirit — a feature that makes the event so special.

Participants will be raising money to for research and to ensure people affected by dementia can access programs and services.

The event runs now until Sept. 21 — World Alzheimer’s Day.

• For more information, go to climbforalzheimers.ca.

GolfBC tees up $27,000 for four food banks

GolfBC has donated $27,000 to food banks in Langford, Whistler, Richmond and Kelowna.

In late April, as golf courses across Vancouver Island began to open up their tees amid the COVID-19 crisis, the company announced it would be making a commitment to donate $1 from every round of golf played during May to food banks within the communities of its five golf facilities in British Columbia.

“Giving back to the community through charitable initiatives has always been at the core of our company,” said Andy Hedley, vice-president of golf operations.

“This global crisis is impacting communities around the world, and GolfBC wants to help those in need. While we don’t know what the future holds for the tourism/recreation/ hospitality industry, we are thankful for the ability to resume partial operation of our business which allows us an opportunity to help support organizations that are helping others.”

The GolfBC Group is the parent company of the Olympic View Golf Club in Langford.

• For more information, go to golfbc.com.

Rotary beer-tasting a toast to Little Phoenix Daycare

The Rotary Club of Downtown Victoria has partnered with Vancouver Island Brewing to host Cheers for Charity, an online interactive beer- tasting event to benefit the Little Phoenix Daycare on Aug. 13.

The virtual fundraiser will be broadcast live from the company’s tasting room with a brew master and host guiding guests through a tasting of the brewery’s Summer Outpost Mix Pack.

Proceeds from ticket sales will support the Little Phoenix Daycare, Canada’s first trauma supportive daycare, being created by the Victoria Social Innovation Centre.

This event is the second of a series of online tasting events being hosted by Rotary Club of Downtown Victoria. The first online tasting event, Gins for Joan (a celebration of Joan Peggs’ birthday), was held on the patio at Spinnakers Brewpub last month. That event raised more than $2,500 toward Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.

Tickets are $20. The event runs 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 13.

• For tickets or more information, go to Eventbrite or email rotarydowntownvictoria@gmail.com. The club is also on Facebook.

Bottle drive helps pandemic-hit Scouts Canada’s Camp Barnard

Clear out that growing collection of refundables by contributing to a bottle drive to help support Scouts Canada’s Camp Barnard, at the View Royal Canadian Tire store, Aug. 8.

The 100-hectare camp, which is usually a hub of activity over the summer, has faced an extended closure due to COVID-19.

The 30th Baden-Powell Guild is conducting a bottle drive to support the camp.

No contact and no sorting required. Just drive up and some eager Scouts will unload your empties.

The drive runs 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 (it repeats Sept. 12) at the View Royal Canadian Tire (near the Garden Centre), 1519 Admirals Rd. (corner of Craigflower Road).

• For more information, go to campbarnard.ca.