Residents of a retirement home raised more than $20,000 for Ukrainian refugees by raffling off a quilt made by members of a Sip & Stitch group.
The quilt, named Patchwork of the Heart, features an embroidered sunflower and the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag. The money raised will go to the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.
“We are so proud of our residents at Tapestry at Victoria Harbour. The Sip & Stitch team of four residents spent an intensive three weeks completing the quilt last year, and we were able to double our $10,000 goal through the sale of raffle tickets, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to ICA,” said Amber Reis, general manager of Tapestry. “We are truly a community with a philanthropic heart, always ready to help those in need.”
She said the quilt is an example of how the seniors’ home draws on the talents and interests of residents, to give them the opportunity to engage in meaningful and purposeful activities that benefit the broader community.
The funds raised will allow the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria to provide financial and housing support to more than 20 Ukrainian families.
For more information, or to donate, go to icavictoria.org.
Province honours history society
Vancouver Island Local History Society was recently honoured with a provincial recognition award for its management of Point Ellice House.
The society was recognized by the British Columbia Historical Federation for preserving Point Ellice House and the decolonizing narratives associated with the property, its inhabitants and the land.
The society took over management of the Point Ellice House heritage site in 2019, with a mission to develop and support heritage work that was inclusive, diverse and representative of communities in the past and present. Its management ended earlier this year.
“We are incredibly proud of the work our staff and volunteers have done to rehabilitate and reinvigorate this special historic site,” said the group in a statement.
The British Columbia Historical Federation encourages interest in the history of British Columbia through research, presentation and support in its role as an umbrella organization for provincial historical societies.
Established in 1922, the federation provides a collective voice for more than 100 member societies in the provincial not-for-profit historical sector.
For more information on the Vancouver Island Local History Society, go to vilocalhistory.ca For more information on the British Columbia Historical Federation, go to bchistory.ca
Rowing on mission to help seniors
A geriatric psychiatrist in the Cowichan Valley plans to row 89.5 kilometres on an indoor rowing machine on Monday in memory of her father and to improve the lives of seniors in her community, as part of a fundraiser called Rise the Tide — Building Community through Remembrance.
Dr. Jane Saunders, in partnership with Maple Bay Rowing Club, is inviting community members to row/bike a short distance or make a donation to support Cowichan seniors living in units at Cowichan Lodge and Oyster Harbour that are dedicated to people living with severe dementia. The money raised is to provide therapeutic tools for seniors to reduce their social isolation and build community.
Cowichan Lodge and Oyster Harbour are Vancouver Island-wide tertiary referral units that accommodate 36 patients with severe complications of dementia. While they are cared for with person-entered care and compassion, the units desperately need equipment that enables meaningful engagement — and moments of joy.
For more information, go to Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094049564583 or Race Roster: raceroster.com/events/2023/78001/rise-the-tide .
Ladysmith fund issues first grant
The Ladysmith Community Fund, established in 2021 to provide a funding source for charities in the Ladysmith community, recently issued its first grant of $600 to the Ladysmith Little Theatre Society, so it can lend wireless headsets to theatregoers with hearing impairments.
“We welcome this funding that will help us reach a broader audience as we celebrate our 20th year in the community,” said Bruce Mason, a founder and past president of the Ladysmith Little Theatre.
The fund, which recently received a welcome gift of $500 from Ladysmith Rotary, says it will offer grants annually.
For more information, or to apply for a grant, go to ladysmithcommunityfund.ca.
Online art auction aims to save horses
Today is the last day to bid on the Say Neigh equine-themed online art auction, with funds benefiting a campaign to ban the practice of exporting live horses for meat.
Sidney-based artist Marion Evamy has donated three contemporary horse paintings, collectively valued at more than $8,700, toward the art auction.
For more information, go to canadianhorsedefencecoalition.org. To participate in the auction, go to hibid.ca/events/say-neigh-and-horseshit-canada.
Gingerbread registration opens
Habitat for Humanity Victoria has just opened baker registration for this winter’s Gingerbread Showcase, and says the limited spaces are already filling up fast.
The finished creations will be displayed from Nov. 25 until Jan. 4, with visitors and viewers invited to vote for their favourite while making a donation to Habitat Victoria’s build fund.
The event typically attracts everyone from home chefs to professional bakers, artists and designers. The friendly competition is open to individuals, families, friends or teams.
The theme for this year’s showcase is Family Traditions — a family or chosen family tradition, a holiday tradition, or a cherished memory that brings joy each year, a celebration of friendship.
Everything used in the creation must be edible; each entry must be created on a 61-centimetre-square (24- inch-square) base and must to be at least 45 centimetres (roughly 18 inches) tall.
The bake-off, in its 15th year, benefits Habitat for Humanity Victoria in making a difference for local families in need of a safe, decent place to call home.
For more information, or to register, go to habitatvictoria.com/gingerbread.
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