The Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island and HeroWork have joined forces to raise money and recruit volunteers for the radical renovation of the Rainbow Kitchen.
The two organizations are actively recruiting people with much-needed skill sets to volunteer some time, labour and resources to assist with the three-weekend renovation, set to begin Sept. 16.
“The Rainbow Kitchen is a local charity, that provides nutritious and tasty host lunch meals to 125 to 140 people a day, 50 weeks of the year — that’s over 36,000 meals a year,” said Rosalind Scott, president and CEO of the bureau. “The current building from which the program is operating is in desperate need of renovation and repair. HeroWork, another local non-profit organization, has stepped up to the plate to take on co-ordinating this massive $500,000 renovation. BBB is joining forces to help spread the word, fundraise and recruit volunteers.”
Volunteers needed include: landscapers, carpenters, asbestos remediation, commercial floor installers, plumbers, electricians, refrigeration specialists and more. They are also recruiting community leaders who want to assist with public relations and event management to help with promoting the project.
For more information, go to herowork.com/rainbow-kitchen or bbb.org/vancouver-island.
Victoria woman a winner in Commonwealth contest
Rachel Barr of Victoria has just been declared the regional winner of a photography competition that sought to capture images that reflect inclusivity worldwide.
Barr is an intern with Victoria-based VIDEA, one of Canada’s oldest global education-based development agencies. She took the winning picture while working with the agency in Tanzania, East Africa.
The photography competition was hosted by the Commonwealth, an inter-governmental organization of 53 member states. The competition is meant to inspire people throughout its member countries to capture images that reflect inclusivity.
Barr’s selfie picture, Running Motivation, won in the Caribbean and the Americas category. More than 300 photographers entered the organization’s Photographer of the Year competition.
She is a lifelong runner who plans on completing a half-marathon upon returning to Victoria. Here is a quote that accompanied her submission:
“My daily runs down the red earth road are a constant reminder of the inclusivity of the Commonwealth. I am routinely joined by someone running alongside with a smiling face. This simple daily connection builds a sense of community and inclusivity for me when I am so far away from home.”
Her image will be displayed alongside other winners at an exhibition at the Commonwealth’s London headquarters through 2016. It will also be featured in the organization’s 2017 calendar. For more information, go to thecommonwealth.org or videa.ca.
Cystic fibrosis fundraiser next Sunday
Join thousands of Canadians across the country in the Carstar Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History, Sunday, May 29.
May is cystic fibrosis awareness month, and Cystic Fibrosis Canada is holding the event to raise funds for research and to support a world without cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease that affects Canadian children and young adults. Life expectancy for Canadians with the disease has increased thanks to investments in research that have led to ground-breaking new treatments.
Victoria has a pediatric cystic fibrosis clinic that provides care to 23 children and an adult clinic that provides care to 48 adults living with the disease.
“We rely on the support of our volunteers, donors and partners to fund research that is making a real difference for people living with cystic fibrosis” said event organizer Sarah March.
There is a barbecue celebration at the finish, at about 1:30 p.m.
Registration (by donation) begins at 10, with the walk starting at 11 a.m. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part in the two-kilometre walk, from Esquimalt Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Rd.
For more information, go to cysticfibrosis.ca.
May is Huntington awareness month
This month, the Huntington Society of Canada launched a new public service announcement campaign: What is Huntington Disease? to coincide with May being Huntington Disease Awareness Month.
Huntington Disease is a debilitating brain disorder that is fatal and incurable. About one in every 7,000 Canadians has the disorder, and about one in every 5,500 is at-risk of developing the disease. The disease causes cells in specific parts of the brain to die. As the disease progresses, a person with Huntington’s becomes less able to manage movements, recall events, make decisions and control emotions. The disease leads to incapacitation and, eventually, death.
The Huntington Society of Canada is a leader in the worldwide effort to end the disease. The organization is the only Canadian health charity dedicated to providing help and hope for families affected by Huntington disease across Canada.
For more information, go to huntingtonsociety.ca.
Island residents win Sovereign medals
Three Vancouver Island residents were among 55 Canadians to receive the inaugural Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from Gov. Gen. David Johnston last month.
The Medal for Volunteers incorporates and replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award. This medal builds on the legacy and spirit of the previous award by honouring the dedication and commitment of volunteers.
The local recipients were:
• Dr. Karen Lund, of Sidney, who has volunteered as the director of the nursing program at the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Dr. Martin Spencer, of Lantzville, who, for over 30 years, helped restore sight to many of the world’s poor as a longtime volunteer with Seva Canada.
• Carol-Ann Staples, of Victoria, who has given back to her community by volunteering with Victoria Hospice for 37 years.
For more information, go to gg.ca.
World Partnership Walk next Sunday
There is still time to register for the World Partnership Walk, an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, May 29.
Victoria is one of 10 cities in Canada taking part in the walk, a major fundraiser for the foundation, a non-profit international development agency that seeks sustainability solutions to global poverty.
People can register their own team, donate to an existing team or volunteer for the event. Last year, 569 teams, including 36 from Victoria, took part in the event, raising more than $3.5 million. Heart Pharmacies IDA Victoria was the top fundraiser for the region, collecting more than $29,000.
Participants at the 2015 walk and corporate supporters drove the overall total to more than $7 million.
The event begins with a Jazzercise class at 9:45, registration at 10, opening ceremonies at 11 and the start of the five-kilometre walk at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is served at 12:15, celebrations at 12:30 p.m. The event concludes at 2:30 p.m. All activities take place at the Petch fountain (by the McPherson Library) at the University of Victoria.
For more information, go to worldpartnershipwalk.com.
Search for Goodness seeks local heroes
Do you know somebody who embodies genuine goodness and deserve to be recognized for their selfless commitment?
Put their name forward for the fourth annual Post Search for Goodness, a nationwide search by Post Food Canada, the manufacturer of several popular cereal brands. For the first time, the winner will receive $10,000 to help them continue to spread goodness within in their community.
“The Search for Goodness is an opportunity to celebrate people doing good in our communities,” said Amy Bernstein, senior product manager of Shreddies and Shredded Wheat. “Whether it’s someone who rescues animals in need or helps out at the local hockey arena, acts of goodness big and small are all around us and they deserve to be recognized.”
Individuals or a team of up to three people can be nominated. People can nominate a deserving person with a letter explaining their reasons in 150 words or less. Once a person has been vetted, Canadians can vote for their favourite story once a day to help the nominee make it into the top 10 finalists.
The top 10 stories will make the short list of nominees. The winner of the $10,000 prize will be selected by a panel of judges. In the case of a winning team, the team members will split the prize equally. Nominations close on July 25, voting closes on July 31, and the winner will be announced in August.
For more information, go to searchforgoodness.com or postfoods.ca.
Epic garage sale next Saturday
Find hidden treasures at an epic garage sale at Keating Storage, May 28.
Customers of the storage facility and invited vendors will sell off a plethora of treasures and bargains. All registration fees will benefit the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation.
Funds raised toward building a larger, custom-designed Surgical Daycare Unit at the hospital to accommodate the more than 1,500 surgical and close to 800 medical procedures that take place there each year.
Organizers also promise there will be fun and games, entertainment and food.
The sale runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — or until all the bargains have gone. The sale takes place at Keating Self Storage, 6822 Veyaness Rd. (at Keating Cross Road). For more information, go to keatingstorage.com.
Recycling Day a Threshold fundraiser
Bringing your recyclables, meet neighbours and donate to charitable causes at Threshold Recycling Day on Saturday.
A bottle drive is available on site for anyone to donate their refundable containers.
The Threshold Recycling Days fall on the fourth Saturday of every month (except December). Some of the money collected will go to the Threshold Housing Society, to assist in their mission to provide life skills for at-risk youth in their housing programs.
The event runs 9 to 11 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Matthias Anglican Church, 600 Richmond Ave. (off Richardson Street). For more information, go to thresholdhousing.ca/recycling-helps-at-risk-youth/
In conjunction with the above event, a community-wide yard sale will also take place on May 28th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. This initiative is being organized by the Fairfield Gonzales Community Centre.
For more information, go to fairfieldcommunity.ca/events-projects/community-wide-yard-sale.
