Victoria’s Felicity Rhone is one of the Top 10 Kindest People in Canada of 2021, according to GoFundMe.
The crowdfunding platform wanted to shine a light on those who have donated to, or organized the most fundraisers last year, in the hope it may inspire kindness in others.
“It’s no secret Canadians are known for being kind, but these 10 people on GoFundMe have taken their kindness to another level,” the website said.
“They have gone above and beyond to contribute to causes they care about and help others within their communities.”
Rhone has joined a small group of equally charitable Canadians who frequently support people or causes in their community.
“It’s about showing love and making life a bit better for the people around you,” said Rhone, 28, a software developer.
“I was able to pay off the last of my student loans and found that I was left with extra cash every month. I didn’t need it that much, but knew that there were others who needed it more.”
Rhone regularly scrolls through the GoFundMe website with an eye for environmental and social causes. She estimates she has donated about $2,000 to various appeals by people who needed a little financial help.
GoFundMe flew her and the other nine recipients to Toronto to claim their awards.
Outreach duo helps those in isolated spots
Our Place has launched Dandelion Street Outreach, a new program to reach a portion of the street community hunkered down in isolated spots around Greater Victoria.
Our Place has rebranded its Dandelion van, which was operated by Rev. Al Tysick before his retirement, and hired two outreach workers to serve those who don’t frequent the community drop-in centre on Pandora Avenue.
“The need has always been there,” said Jordan Cooper, director of facilities for Our Place. “We wanted to make sure that Rev. Al’s legacy continued in a positive light.”
The two workers hit the streets at 6:30 a.m. every morning to check on people who are living in doorways, under hedges and other isolated spots.
Along with health checks, the outreach team delivers hot coffee, snacks, socks, underwear, rain gear and other necessities. They also offer rides to medical appointments, laundry facilities and other service providers.
“The people we see every day are those who have fallen through the cracks and we want to lift them up,” said Cooper. “Sometimes that’s as simple as a coffee and snack, and other times it’s helping them navigate the system to get into housing.”
The team connects people with resources, checks they are on the B.C. Housing list, and lets them know what shelters and warming stations are open that day.
This program is made possible through the support of both Dandelion and Our Place donors.
Jeneece Place grateful for Save-On-Foods donations
Greater Victoria Save-On-Foods stores have rallied together to deliver $600 worth of groceries and $1,000 in gift cards to Jeneece Place — for the seventh year in a row.
For families staying at the house, this means a full pantry and ample food to prepare their meals.
“Families staying at Jeneece Place are often experiencing some of the most stressful times of their lives and we’ve heard from them how much it means to feel the support and compassion of donors like Save-on-Foods,” said Veronica Carroll, CEO of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, which manages the house.
“Thank you Save-on-Foods, on behalf of all of the families that call Jeneece Place their home away from home while their children are receiving health care. This generous contribution allows families to utilize food in the pantry to make their own meals between hospital visits, so they don’t have to worry about grocery shopping and can instead focus on their child’s health.”
Christmas tree recycling raises cash for Easter Seals
The Easter Seals annual Christmas tree recycling fundraiser, Chip In for the Kids, saw more than 1,000 trees collected and just over $15,000 raised for Easter Seals programs and services.
It was the 32nd year of the event, which ran on Jan. 8 and 9. In total, 146 Christmas trees were picked up from Vancouver Island homes and more than 900 trees dropped off at seven Island locations, including Tillicum Shopping Centre, Save-On-Foods (Fort & Foul Bay), Westshore Town Centre, University Heights Shopping Centre and Broadmead Village Shopping Centre in Victoria.
Davey Tree Services and volunteers from the Esquimalt Lions Club, Saanich Lions Club, Victoria Lions Club, Victoria Chinatown Lions Club, Victoria Chinatown Lioness Lions Club and West Shore Lions Club assisted with disposing of the trees in an environmentally friendly way.
Proceeds from the event will help fund Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan, a summer camp program for children and adults with disabilities. The Chip In for the Kids fundraiser has raised more than $435,000 in its 32 years.
For more information, go to eastersealsbcy.ca.
Rotary clubs want your empty bottles
Save your empties for the next three months as the Rotary clubs of Oak Bay and Victoria are both planning bottle drives on the first Saturday of each month to raise money for community projects and initiatives.
In conjunction with the Alumni of Oak Bay High School, the Rotary Club of Oak Bay is holding its bottle drive for the school’s Jack Wallace Memorial Track Resurfacing project.
The Rotary Club of Victoria’s bottle drive will support the Interact Club at Esquimalt High School and other local charities.
The Oak Bay event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb 5, March 5 and April 2 at the Cranmore Road entrance to Oak Bay High School. The Victoria event runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb 5, March 5 and April 2 at Esquimalt High School, 847 Colville Rd.
Contest for young writers helps families who need housing
Students have the chance to help a local family in need of affordable housing build their home in Habitat for Humanity’s Meaning of Home writing contest.
The contest asks students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 across Canada to share what home means to them in poems and short essays.
There are three grand prizes of $30,000 grants and nine runners-up prizes of $10,000 grants for their local Habitat build. Every local submission earns a $10 donation towards Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
“Home has been a refuge for so many over this difficult time,” said Julia Deans, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada.
“Home begins with four walls, but it doesn’t end there. It means so much more – more time with family and a safe and healthy place to study, to grow and to build community.”
Since 2007, the contest has raised more than $1.7 million to help build affordable housing in communities across Canada. Last year a record-breaking 12,000 entries were received.
The deadline for submissions is Feb. 18. Winners will be announced by June.
Submissions are accepted by mail or online at meaningofhome.ca.
