Students from Journey Middle School in Sooke are writing poems, letters, cards, art and more to express how they feel about social injustice for residents of isolated First Nation communities.
Students in the Grade 7 Community Building Class at the school have been learning about First Nations communities not having access to safe schools, clean drinking water, affordable housing and full health-care services.
They were inspired to act after watching Hi-Ho Mistahey!, a National Film Board documentary chronicling the neglect of children’s education in Attawapiskat, a First Nation community in Ontario.
The students decided to organize a Have A Heart Day, a reconciliation event to show they support First Nations children being able to grow up safely, get a good education, be healthy and be proud of who they are.
Students plan to share their letters, poems and art with the federal government and the Attawapiskat First Nation community.
• For more information, contact teacher Elizabeth Kannangara at Journey Middle School, at [email protected]
>>> Soccer club helps schools
A Sidney-based soccer club is donating part of its spring registration fees to support local school parent advisory councils. The Pace Football Club plans to donate $15 from every registration to the child’s school’s parent advisory council.
“We are proud, humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to support our school PAC program,” said Harj Nandhra, the club’s co-founder. “We would like to thank all the PAC members and leaders who put in so much time and effort to ensure our children are well looked after.”
He said the gesture comes in response to the fundraising challenges parent advisory councils are facing due to COVID-related restrictions.
The Pace Football Club is a non-profit that has been providing affordable soccer training on the Saanich Peninsula since 2018. The spring league soccer program is for ages 4 to 12 and runs from May to the end of July.
• For more information, go to pacefc.com.
>>> Bridges backs Women’s Day
Bridges for Women is hosting an evening of solidarity for women’s empowerment with a virtual International Women’s Day fundraiser, March 8.
This is the 11th year for the annual event. Speakers include Dr. Danièle Behn-Smith, aboriginal health physician adviser to the provincial health officer, and Kathryn Calder, City of Victoria Artist-in-Residence.
All proceeds from the event support women affected by violence and trauma.
Registration is by donation. A limited number of gift bags are available for guests who make a minimum donation of $50.
• The event runs online from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. March 8. To register, go to eventbrite.ca/e/11th-annual-international-womens-day-celebration-tickets-139044246083.
>>> Arts council ramps it up
Original artwork, memberships and even a dinner hosted in the main gallery are some of the incentives offered by the Victoria Arts Council for donations to Ramp It Up, a campaign to raise money to purchase a wheelchair ramp for its Store Street gallery.
A wheelchair ramp was rented in November to ensure accessibility during the gallery’s 4 Perspectives exhibition, but the arts council is hopeful a ramp can become a permanent feature of the gallery. It has partnered with the Garth Homer Society and HME Mobility and Accessibility to raise $8,000 toward purchasing the ramp.
Kegan McFadden, the council’s executive director, said accessibility continues to be a priority for the arts council, which is now in its fifth decade of operations in the region.
• For more information, or to donate go to charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/victoria-arts-council-ramp-it-up.
>>> Goddess Run marks 10 years
The Goddess Run is celebrating its 10th annual event with a new brand, website and three virtual events this June.
Presented by Cathy Noel of DFH Real Estate Ltd., the run is a predominantly a women’s-only event.
Since 2012, close to 13,000 participants have crossed the finish line, raising $250,000 for local charities.
The event is no stranger to virtual runs, adding them in 2018, which led to runners taking part from across Canada, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Austria, Africa and China. Other events include the Harvest Moon Run in October and the Snowflake Run in December. Runners will have almost a month to complete each race.
Participants can sign up for just one event or bundle two or three of the events. There is also a Kids Run and even an opportunity to dress your four-legged furry training partners in Goddess gear.
• For more information, or to register, go to goddessrun.ca.
>>> Students aid youth shelter
Commerce students from the University of Victoria are participating in 5 Days, a national fundraising and awareness campaign to highlight homelessness.
Proceeds from this year’s campaign, with a goal of $3,000, will go to the Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter.
Homelessness among youth is a major issue, with youth representing one in five shelter users.
The Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter organization offers housing and support programs for those ages 13 to 18.
Events planned for the month-long campaign include a networking kick-off on Monday, a polar bear plunge March 7 to 13, a sampler card with discounts at local food and beverage establishments March 14 to 20, and Yoga X Mimosas March 27.
Details on Facebook: 5 Days Uvic or Instagram: @5daysuvic.
• Donate at gofundme.com/f/5daysuvic.