Bicycles for Humanity is at it again, scouring Greater Victoria looking for good used bikes, financial donations and spare parts to improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people in Africa.
As thoughts turn to cycling this spring, people are urged to consider donating old bikes and spare parts that they no longer use.
The local grassroots group has already collected 300 bicycles this time, but have room for about 150 more to fill a shipping container.
This is the 11th shipment since the group started the project in 2009. Two container loads have gone to Namibia, two to Uganda and the past six have gone to Malawi.
When they finally close the doors to the container, they will have collected and shipped 4,400 bicycles.
When it reaches Africa, workers inspect and refurbish the used bicycles, giving employment to local citizens. Once repaired, some of the bikes are donated to needy organizations. Others are sold (for modest amounts) to help locals improve their access to food, water, employment, school and work.
Any profit is put back into the program, to pay for spare parts, help offset shipping costs and help fund an orphanage.
Something as simple as a bicycle should never be underestimated — each bike donated has the unique ability to help change a life for the better.
Bicycles for Humanity Victoria volunteers will be happy to come by to pick up your unused bicycle. For more information, call Chris Wille at 250-479-7415. For more information, go to b4hvictoria.blogspot.com or Facebook.
Garden tour is set to music
Give your mom a visual and audio treat by taking her to the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour, May 11 and 12.
This is the 37th year of the event, with beautiful gardens and the perfect musical accompaniment.
View pretty posies and blossom-scented air, to music performed by Victoria Conservatory of Music students, faculty and guests.
“Last year’s sold-out event helped enrich the lives of many through our music education programs,” said Jane Butler McGregor, CEO. “We are thankful for the wonderful volunteers who work so hard to put on the Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour, the VCM’s largest annual fundraising event.”
View 10 select Victoria-area private gardens, with a Tuscan garden, a woodland rhododendron specialty garden and a custom-built orchid house among the highlights.
Finish off the tour with a plant sale featuring everything from succulents to shrubbery, hanging baskets to fresh herbs.
Proceeds help the conservatory maintain its music and outreach programs and special musical events, while enhancing community life in Victoria.
A two-day pass is $35 (children 12 and under free). The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 and 12 at various Greater Victoria-area gardens. Tickets available at ticketfly.com/event/1833775-37th-annual-mother-s-day-victoria or in person at the conservatory front desk, 900 Johnson St.
For more information, go to vcm.bc.ca/victoria-garden-tour.
Magic Wand dresses students for grad
Give grads an eco-friendly and inexpensive alternative to prom outfits by supporting The Magic Wand Project.
The grad-outfit non-profit lends young adults complete outfits — including dresses, suits, tuxedos, shoes and accessories — to wear at their prom.
The service ensures students graduate in style — regardless of their financial situation. Some are students wishing to borrow rather than buy.
They have a selection of more than 100 new and like-new gowns and 40 tuxedos to choose from. They have clothed more than 800 students since 2001.
The project hosts several boutique weekends, where graduates can view and choose their outfits.
To set up an appointment to view, contact Elizabeth Surerus at 250-658-0246 or [email protected].
For more information, go to themagicwandproject.ca or Facebook.
Carnations honour mothers
Royal Oak Burial Park will be giving out free carnations as a Mother’s Day remembrance for park visitors.
This is the third year the burial park will distribute 500 white and pink flowers — the white ones to be placed on a mother’s grave and pink flowers for mothers who are still with us.
“We are delighted to continue with this new tradition at Royal Oak Burial Park, giving away carnations as a way to publicly acknowledge the role of mothers and to honour their contributions whether they have passed away or continue to make a difference in our lives,” said Crystabelle Fobler, executive director. “We are celebrating all mothers; step-mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, guardians, foster-mothers, friends who have been like mothers and fathers who have taken on a mother’s role.”
The carnations will be available at the entrance to Royal Oak Burial Park from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. Royal Oak Burial Park is not-for-profit and community-owned. For more information, go to robp.ca.
Learn abut opioid emergency
Learn more about the opioid public-health emergency at an Overdose Prevention Expo by the United Way, Wednesday at the Bay Centre.
There will be 15 information tables by community organizations that work in the field, many of which are funded by United Way.
People can find out about what opioids are, what the risks are, harm reduction, Naloxone training, and also programs and services that are available to help people who are struggling.
To illustrate the extent of the health emergency, organizers have fabricated a bloom wall with 1,510 red wooden roses.
Each rose represents a life lost to a drug overdose in B.C. in 2018. People can take the roses away in remembrance of someone they lost — or in tribute to someone they love.
They can post their rose photos on Instagram and tag @UnitedWayVictoria with the hashtag #unignorable.
The event runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at Centre Court, Lower Level, The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas St. For more information, go to uwgv.ca.
Mother’s Day walk for breast cancer
Join Canadians walking in 10 different city locations across Canada at the Breast Cancer Society of Canada’s annual Mother’s Day Walk in Victoria, May 12.
Walk with breast cancer survivors, families, friends, colleagues and corporate teams to raise money to fund life-saving breast cancer research.
Although advancements have been made, breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, with 26,300 new cases in Canada this year. One in eight women is likely to develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
“Through research we have learned every breast-cancer patient is different and a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment doesn’t work,” said Kimberly Carson, Breast Cancer Society of Canada CEO. “We have a five-year plan to implement personalized medicine for breast-cancer patients. Through our work and the support of our donors, patients will have the opportunity to enrol in cutting-edge clinical trials which will lead to the development of new targeted therapies — an extraordinary advancement.”
Victoria’s walk festivities include music, guest speakers, a Zumba warmup, survivor tent, refreshments and activities for children.
The walk is appropriate for all fitness levels.
Registration starts at 9:30, with the walk starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m. from Clover Point Park, 1301 Dallas Rd. For more information, go here.
Music students bring talents to the legislature
More than 250 Victoria-area music students will gather at the legislature for the 15th annual Music Monday, a national event advocating for music education.
The local event is hosted by the Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia.
An ensemble of elementary and secondary school music students will perform a free public concert on the steps of the legislature as part of a cross-Canada event.
Participating schools groups include: Belmont Secondary Choir, Cedar Hill Middle School Choir, Central Middle School Choir, Esquimalt Secondary Concert Choir, Mount Douglas Secondary Concert Choir, Oak Bay Senior Jazz band and Torquay Elementary School Choir.
The event is free to attend. It runs noon to 12:50 p.m. Monday, May 6, on the steps of the legislature, 501 Belleville St.
The coalition is a registered non-profit society made up of parents, educators, arts organizations and supporters from across the province, whose mission is to protect, promote and advance music education in B.C. For more information, go to cmebc.org.
First responders know blood donations matter
Emergency-service workers will be rolling up their sleeves to donate blood as the Canadian Blood Services’ Sirens for Life blood donation drive kicked off May 1.
First responders often see the need for blood firsthand. They know that that no matter the season, the demand for blood never stops. Emergency personnel in Victoria are calling on new and regular donors to donate in support of their local emergency service teams.
Donating blood is one of the most direct ways you can help someone. Walk-in appointments are available at all Canadian Blood Services locations.
The blood donation drive runs May 1 to June 16.
To book an appointment, locate a donor centre, check your eligibility and more, download the Give Blood app, call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or go to blood.ca.
Cycling festival celebrates Saanich
Explore Saanich’s vast cycling network during the 10th annual Saanich Cycling Festival, today at Saanich Municipal Hall and five other celebration stations throughout the municipality.
“The Saanich Cycling Festival is a great event for families,” said Coun. Judy Brownoff. “Explore our cycling network together while exploring Saanich, visit the celebration stations and come back to our municipal hall and enjoy the activities, music and food.”
The 2019 festival route includes six community celebration stations where participants collect stamps on their event maps for a chance to win prizes as they make their way to the main festival site at the Saanich Municipal Hall.
Free family activities include a bike rodeo; cycling obstacle course and skills challenge; kids’ decorated bike parade; face painting; inflatable slide obstacle; games; and a bike safety tent.
The children’s decorated bike ride starts at 1 p.m. with a 1.5- or 2.2-kilometre route option open to all ages and abilities. This year, children can meet and ride with cyclists training for the Olympics.
There will also be festival food carts and concessions.
The event is free to join. Activities run 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the municipal hall parking lot.
Participants can pick up an event map at any of the six celebration stations in the community: Saanich Municipal Hall, Tillicum and Galloping Goose Trail, Grange Road and Galloping Goose Trail, Quadra Street and Lochside Trail, Blenkinsop Greenway-Lochside Trail and Lochside Elementary School.
For more information, go to the Saanich website.
