The Victoria Hospitals Foundation raised $1 million at its sold-out Visions gala, held at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, Nov. 16.
The money, raised through ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, a bear raffle, live and silent auctions and a pledge drive, will go toward the purchase of priority, leading-edge imaging equipment for Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals.
“Every year, Visions helps transform health care on Vancouver Island and it’s remarkable to see so many generous people come together for this worthy cause,” said Darlene Hollstein, chair of the Visions steering committee. “As one of Victoria’s longest-running charity gala fundraisers, Visions has equipped our hospitals with urgently needed tools and technology over the past 29 years. Our whole community benefits from this outstanding generosity.”
The equipment that will be purchased through Visions and The Big Picture, the foundation’s latest fundraising campaign.
The goal of the Big Picture campaign, which was unveiled at Visions, is to raise $4 million to fund cutting-edge imaging equipment for both hospitals.
Contributions to the campaign can be made online, by calling 250-519-1750, or mailing a donation to Wilson Block, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria BC, V8R 1J8. For more information, go to at victoriahf.ca.
Many performers come together as One
Commemorate Human Solidarity Day and the International Day of Persons With Disabilities at We are One — The Show, Saturday at First Metropolitan United Church.
Outstanding performers are coming together in Victoria to celebrate diversity and inclusion through music, dance and narrative.
An initiative of West Coast Reach Association, the show features performers who celebrate what makes us similar inside — and very different on the outside.
Performers include Pablo Cardenas, considered one of Cuba’s great jazz pianists, Syrian violinist Sari Alesh with enchanting music from the Middle East, while husband-and-wife team Mbira Spirit fuses Canadian country with music from Zimbabwe.
Also featured are the three performing groups of Reach: The Victoria Diverse-City Singers multi-cultural choir, the Our Place Out-Reach Singers, with members of the street community and the greater community, and the Reach Performing Company.
Advance tickets are $20 from performers or on Eventbrite and $25 at the door. The show starts at 7 p.m. Nov. 30, at First Metropolitan United Church, Quadra at Balmoral. The facility is wheelchair accessible and sign-language interpreted. Net proceeds will benefit programs and events to celebrate diversity and inclusion through the performing arts at West Coast Reach Association. For more information, email [email protected], phone 250-889-0871 or go to westcoastreach.org.
Spirit of generosity honoured at awards
Seven individuals, groups and businesses were recognized for their spirit of generosity at a ceremony to mark National Philanthropy Day earlier this month.
This was the 20th year of the awards in Victoria, which recognizes individuals and organizations — each changing the world with a giving heart — in seven categories.
“This year was a new venue and format for us, moving to the McPherson Playhouse. The event felt like the Oscars of philanthropy,” said Jessica Bell, chair of National Philanthropy Day.
The winners:
• Generosity of Spirit Award, sponsored by Victoria Foundation: Patty Pitts
• Generosity of Spirit Legacy Award, sponsored by Victoria Foundation: Sisters of St. Ann
• Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award, sponsored by Andrew D. Beckerman: Michael Bloomfield
• Outstanding Philanthropic Community Award, sponsored by Camosun College: Superheroes of Victoria
• Corporate Responsibility Award, sponsored by University of Victoria: Peninsula Co-Op
• Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award (11 to 18 years), sponsored by Telus: Jessica Soule
• Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award (5 to 10 years), sponsored by Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island: Connor Milloy
National Philanthropy Day is an event started by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 1986. For more information, go to npdvictoria.com.
Victoria offering civic leadership courses
Have you considered being a civic leader in your neighbourhood — and possibly beyond? Then you would be interested in the launch of Local Champions, a civic leadership course offered by the City of Victoria, starting in February.
The community-based leadership development program is a partnership between the city’s Neighbourhoods Team and Building Resilient Neighbourhoods.
You will acquire the skill set to become a self-starter, with the ability and confidence to act as a project leader for a variety of community-based initiatives.
Learn through a series of interactive workshops to will gain the foundational skills necessary to become connectors. Graduates of the program will foster social capital and opportunities in their neighbourhoods, engaging in community civic life through volunteering or participation in local initiatives or associations.
The program fee is $150, with a limited number of full scholarships from supporting community-based agencies available, including childcare and transportation subsidies.
The program consists of six sessions starting Feb. 1, 2020. Space is limited. Residents of Victoria can apply online. Deadline for applications is Dec. 13. For more information, go to victoria.ca/neighbourhoods.
Showcase highlights artists with disabilities
See visually stunning, tactile, interactive and musical art by artists with disabilities at the 7th annual Artists with Disabilities Showcase, Dec. 3 to 5 at Flux Media Gallery.
Hosted by the Victoria Disability Resource Centre, the fundraising show features the works of more than 24 regional artists.
The event is held in conjunction with United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Live entertainment courtesy of Allison Piano, with performances by students from Neuromotion’s Music Therapy Program and the Victoria Brain Injury Society.
Free admission. The show runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 to 5 at Flux Media Gallery, 821 Fort St. For more information, go to drcvictoria.com.
Get in the seasonal spirit at Huron Carole
Join in an evening of contemporary and signature Christmas music at Huron Carole, Tuesday at Glad Tidings Church.
This fundraising event features stories creatively crafted by actor and singer Tom Jackson. Proceeds from the show go towards supporting the Mustard Seed.
Christmas goodies will be provided.
Tickets are $30. Doors open at 6, with the show starting at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at Glad Tidings Church, 1800 Quadra St. Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite, at Glad Tidings Church or at the Mustard Seed, 625 Queens Ave. For more information, go to huroncarole.ca.
Donate a gift, help a family in need
Help families in need by donating a gently used household item for the L’Ecole George Jay Elementary School’s Holiday Emporium.
Every year the event offers a low-cost way for children to contribute to their family celebrations by “shopping” for gifts for their parents, siblings and friends, for just $1 each.
The Holiday Emporium has been going on for over 10 years now and each year organizers see how this small token can make a real difference in the lives of George Jay families, many of whom simply can’t afford to shop during the holidays.
The school is looking for new or lightly used good-quality items, such as candles, toys, ties, jewelry, picture frames, CDs, DVDs, books, puzzles, purses, wallets, scarves, tools, household goods, bath and beauty items — and they always need items suitable for dad.
Goods should be clean and not broken — remember, the children are “shopping” for their families.
The school is also seeking donations of wrapping materials, ribbons, small boxes, bubble wrap, tape and tissue paper (no Christmas-style decorations).
Wrapping presents is part of the parent volunteer service, so the kids’ families really do get a surprise.
Proceeds from the Holiday Emporium go directly back to the school to help sponsor field trips and cultural events.
Donations can be dropped off during school hours, Dec. 2 to 17. Emporium Day itself runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. Donations can be dropped off at L’Ecole George Jay Elementary School, 1118 Princess Ave. (near Cook and Bay streets). For more information, go to georgejay.sd61.bc.ca.
Fernwood fundraiser aids families in need
The Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group has just launched their annual Gift of Good Food fundraiser, now until Dec. 31.
This is the fifth year of the event, with a goal of raising $100,000. This money raised is enough to provide fresh produce to 200 families facing poverty in the Capital Regional District for a year.
Fernwood NRG will use their food access program, The Good Food Box, to distribute fresh food every two weeks for a year to families in need. All the produce comes from Michell’s Farms and The Root Cellar.
The program is shared between 15 community-based organizations, from Sooke to Saanich, that choose families in their neighborhoods to directly benefit from this program.
For more information, go to thegiftofgoodfood.ca/donate.
Gingerbread Showcase winners announced
The winners have been announced for Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s 11th annual Gingerbread Showcase.
This year, the 29 creations on display were judged around this year’s theme: Building a Diverse Community. Judges Kathy Ajas from Revera, Jeff Bell of the Times Colonist and Heidi Fink, local chef and food writer, had a tough time last week as they reviewed each entry.
The winners:
• 1st Place Amateur — Origins by Selena Oliveira
• Best First Impression — Kung Hei Fatt Choy! by Audrey Wang and Heather White
• Best Interpretation of the Theme — Monsters at Bay by Nando Castillo at Revera Parkwood Place
• Most Creative and Original — Origins by Selena Oliveira
• Best Use of Skill and Technique — A Place to Call Come by Christine and Peter Cooper
• Kick Off Kudos (voted for by invited guests at the opening event) — Origins by Selena Oliveira
The event is free to view. People are encouraged to donate to vote for the People’s Choice Award. The display can be seen now until Jan. 5 at the Parkside Hotel and Spa, 810 Humboldt St.
For more information, go to habitatvictoria.com.
Affordable-housing advocate honoured
Kaye Melliship, executive director of the Greater Victoria Housing Society, has just won the 2019 Denise LeBlond Lifetime Achievement Award.
Presented by the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association, the award recognizes an individual whose dedication and vision have furthered the cause of affordable housing in British Columbia.
For more information, go to bcnpha.ca.
