Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes is celebrating after a half-acre chunk of seasonal wetland at Kings Pond Park was donated to the municipality by the late Brian Patriquin, who lived on adjacent Queensbury Avenue.
The wetland, which had been part of Patriquin’s backyard, bordering on the park, will be known as Jenkins Pond Park, after Patriquin’s grandparents, who farmed in the area.
“Generous donations, like that of Mr. Patriquin, are just one of the many ways that we actively seek to improve our parks inventory for the future of Saanich,” Haynes said.
Cool Aid aims to raise $10,000 to buy 10,000 pairs of socks
With fall setting in and rough weather ahead, the Cool Aid Society’s annual sock collection is underway to help those in need.
“A good pair of warm and dry socks is so important, especially at this time of year,” says volunteer Michael Bloomfield of Congregation Emanu-El, adding he began the campaign 13 years “because it seemed like a simple, practical way we could help people living in extreme poverty.
“And it works.”
His community contributions earned Bloomfield a National Philanthropy Day Award in 2019, where he told the crowd that you it’s not necessary to be rich to be a philanthropist: “You just need to care.”
Over the years, the campaign has collected 112,500 pairs of socks worth $562,000.
The socks are distributed to 25 organizations around the region, with some also going to Salt Spring Island, Duncan and Nanaimo.
PVH Legwear, which purchased McGregor Socks this year, wanted to help keep the collection going “when we learned of this amazing, long-lived and co-operative partnership,” said the company’s Peter Roxborough.
PVH gives socks to the effort at a significantly discounted price, while shipping is provided by La-Z-Boy.
The goal of this year’s campaign is to raise $10,000 for 10,000 pairs of socks. Donate at coolaid.org/socks or call 250-383-1977.
At Garth Homer, front-line hero honoured
Oliver Korsch was one of the front-line heroes recognized during Disability Awareness Month in September.
Korsch, who works at Thrifty Foods Broadmead, took part in the Garth Homer Society’s Employment Services Program for people with developmental disabilities.
“Without grocery customer-service people, a lot of people wouldn’t get the help they need,” Korsch said. “It’s nice to know — when your day is done and you’re going home — that you’ve helped someone out.
“You kinda do feel like a hero sometimes, I guess.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, close to 70 Garth Homer clients were working in the community.
A job can be life-changing for them, said Rebecca McKee, Garth Homer’s supervisor of employment services.
“A job provides purpose,” she said. “A job provides support and a sense of belonging that builds confidence and a life.
“Employment is also one of the most powerful tools that helps us deliver our mission to help people find a life, a home and a place in the world.”
Garth Homer workers do well on the job, said Geoffrey Ewert, director of learning and employment services for the organization.
“Participants become some of the most productive, dedicated, passionate employees on the team,” Ewert said. “There are also bottom-line benefits with less sick time, higher productivity and job loyalty that translates into less turnover.”
Victoria councillor named a top immigrant
Victoria Coun. Sharmarke Dubow has been named one of the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners for 2020.
The awards are billed as “a symbol for diversity, resilience and the importance of coming together as Canadians,” and for 12 years have been recognizing the achievements of Canada’s immigrants.
Dubow was honoured for supporting such initiatives as free transit, a renters’-advisory committee, affordable housing and reconciliation. Elected in 2018, he is a former Somali refugee and became the first Black councillor in the city in 152 years.
He was eight when he fled Somalia with his sister in 1992 during the country’s civil war.
Over 300 newcomers have been honoured over the awards’ history.
“What an amazing year for the awards,” said Sanjay Agnihotri, director of Canadian Immigrant magazine. “We’ve had a record number of votes cast totalling more than 72,000, which is a true testament to the important contributions immigrants make to this great nation of ours, and the need for all of us to celebrate positive stories in these challenging times.
Meet Your Street connects in Sidney
The Town of Sidney is looking to make its neighbourhoods more connected and resilient with a new program dubbed Meet Your Street.
The idea behind the effort is that coming together with neighbours makes people happier — and people who look out for others develop stronger bonds to where they live.
“Neighbourhood connections are a vital foundation for resilient communities, and they are especially important now as COVID-19 is keeping us close to home,’” said Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith. “Not only do neighbours become our first responders in emergencies, but having local connections also builds trust, creates a sense of home, safety and security and helps communities withstand and overcome crisis.”
The program is looking for people to organize socially distant gatherings in their area, to discuss emergency preparedness for incidents like earthquakes and severe windstorms, and to encourage neighbours to help those needing assistance with such things as grocery shopping or dog walking.
Events for getting connected include holding an outdoor coffee session on a front lawn or driveway.
For more, go to sidney.ca/meetyourstreet.
Children’s Health Foundation gets a new leader for Island
Bryan Thomson has been elected chairman of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island’s board for 2020-21.
He has been a member of the board for the past five years, including two as vice-chairman. He takes over from Sandra Hudson.
“I am honoured to be stepping into the role of board chair with the Children’s Health Foundation,” Thomson said. “Sandra has done an incredible job leading our board for the past two years and I look forward to building upon her strong work.
“I know that we are facing a challenging year but we have assembled a fantastic board of directors, and we are more committed than ever to ensuring that all Island families have access to the health care they need.”
Foundation chief executive Veronica Carroll said Thomson brings a wealth of experience to his role “and is dedicated and passionate about improving the lives of Island children and youth living with physical and mental-health challenges.”
New directors this year are Campbell River Coun. Colleen Evans, orthodontist Megan McFadden, principle consultant at the Brentwood Advisory Group Paul Murray and Joanne Schroeder, former executive director at the Comox Valley Child Development Association.
Returning board members are chief executive of Hubbard Consulting and chairman of Atlas Engineered Products Don Hubbard, lawyer Leah Mack, Wesley Clover general partner Owen Matthews, Pacificus Biological Services owner Doug McCorquodale, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Norgrove Penny, president of Macro Consulting Pat Schneider and Ian Wheatley, senior associate with the Greenard Group at Scotia Wealth Management.
