A non-profit dedicated to diverting art materials from the landfill and putting them in the hands of people who need them has opened a pop-up store in the Vancouver Street Plaza, between Caledonia Avenue and Green Street.
SUPPLY Victoria has transformed the North Park Neighbourhood Association’s lending hub, which previously loaned out games and sporting equipment, into an eight-by 12-foot “store” offering art supplies to the community.
The non-profit boasts it has diverted thousands of pounds of art materials from the landfill since its inception in 2018. Some of the supplies donated by individuals and businesses are made available to teachers, who often need to pay for their art supplies out of their own pockets, along with artists, art groups and students. Some materials find their way to non-profits that provide art therapy to the populations they serve.
“Every year, Victorians throw away 134,000 tonnes of garbage. A large portion of these materials could be diverted for creative reuse,” said Ashley Howe, executive director of SUPPLY Victoria.
“When you reuse something, you not only reduce the amount of greenhouse gases caused by landfills, but you also eliminate the energy, waste, and materials needed to create new things.”
Materials available at the pop-up store are expected to include end rolls of fabric, pastels, wine corks and vinyl stickers, all available for free.
SUPPLY Victoria has also offered workshops on “creative reuse education” to over 500 youth and adults since 2018.
The store will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, until May 28. The plan is for the store to move in June to a permanent location that has yet to be determined. For more information or to see a list of items you can donate, go to supplyvictoria.ca, which also includes a form to schedule an appointment for drop-off, or pick-up for larger donations.
Wounded Warriors go the distance for mental health
Participants in the Wounded Warrior Run B.C. are taking part in a kick-off event today, running from Sooke to Sidney to connect with local communities.
The main event, which sees the eight-member team run the length of Vancouver Island — from Port Hardy to Victoria — is set for Feb. 27 to March 6.
Today’s one-day run starts at 10 a.m. in Sooke, with stops at the Langford and Saanich fire departments. The event concludes at 4:45 p.m. at the Sidney Fire Department.
The main run covers more than 700 kilometres and takes eight days to complete, with stops in Vancouver Island communities along the way.
This year’s goal is to raise $250,000 for mental-health programs and services for Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans and first responders.
For more information, go to woundedwarriors.ca.
Athletes vie to qualify in 2023 Special Olympics Games
Special Olympics athletes in British Columbia are competing in regional qualifiers for the 2023 Special Olympics B.C. Winter Games, to be held in Kamloops Feb. 2-4, 2023.
It marks the fifth time the city has played host to the Special Olympics B.C’s provincial games for B.C. and Yukon athletes with intellectual disabilities.
“I am so pleased on behalf of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc to be extending a warm welcome to the 2023 Special Olympics B.C. Winter Games being held here in Kamloops,” said Rosanne Casimir, Kukpi7 (Chief), Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. “They will be visiting our direct unceded ancestral lands within Secwepemcúlecw (Shuswap Nation) and we look forward to all the athletes who will be visiting the tournament capital.”
After the pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2021 games, nearly 1,000 athletes and volunteers from 40 communities competed instead in the first Special Olympics B.C. Provincial Challenge Games, completing 49 days of at-home challenges, including sport training sessions, workouts and wellness activities.
Organizers say that for many Special Olympics athletes, the games offer their first opportunity to travel and be part of a team.
They say the 2023 games will include safety measures, including the requirement that all competitors and coaches stay in hotels instead of school-based accommodations.
For more information, go to specialolympics.ca.
Camosun students bring massage therapy to Our Place
Massage-therapy students at Camosun College are receiving valuable hands-on experience in offering their services to residents at New Roads, a therapeutic recovery community operated by Our Place Society.
Students from the college’s two-year massage-therapy diploma program began providing treatments in January and will continue through the end of their semester in April.
“The program gives students the opportunity to share their skills with those who may not have otherwise had it available to them,” said Emah Christiansen, Camosun College massage therapy chair. “Students develop a deeper understanding of practice in the community and participants are able to use massage therapy as a tool in their recovery. It’s a wonderful partnership.”
The initiative is the latest step in the program’s effort to provide accessible massage therapy for all. Other initiatives include a massage-therapy clinic that offers free first sessions followed by $20 75-minute appointments. Treatments are provided by diploma students under the supervision of a registered massage therapist.
Nomination deadline nears for multiculturalism awards
The deadline for nominations for the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards for individuals, organizations and youth is 11:59 p.m. Feb. 8.
People are invited to submit nominations for individuals, organizations and youth whose work has enhanced inclusion and cultural diversity, and reduced racism and discrimination in their communities.
There are three categories, with five awards in total: Intercultural Trust Awards (two awards), Breaking Barriers Award (two awards) and Emerging Leader Award (one award).
All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition. Award winners will receive plaques. The youth award recipient will receive $5,000 to donate to a not-for-profit organization of their choice to further promote multiculturalism and anti-racism.
The awards ceremony will take place virtually on March 21, to coincide with the annual International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
For more information and to submit a nomination, go to the website for the awards.
