Last month’s World Partnership Walk attracted about 1,500 participants and supporters, raising more than $120,000 for programs supported by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada.
Over the past 30 years, Canadians have raised a total of $90 million to fund programs that alleviate poverty and build sustainable solutions in the poorest regions of the world.
Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, the guest of honour for the event, was joined by elected representatives from Saanich, Oak Bay, Victoria, Esquimalt, Colwood and Sidney.
The event also celebrated Asian Heritage Month in collaboration with the Asian Heritage Celebration Committee and hosted by the University of Victoria.
Through a partnership with the government of Canada, every dollar donated is matched by the government for even a larger impact. The fundraising campaign continues until the end of June.
For more information, go to worldpartnershipwalk.com or akfc.ca.
Officers honoured for stopping drunk drivers
Sixteen local law-enforcement officers were recognized for their work in stopping impaired drivers by being inducted into 2014 Alexa’s Team Victoria.
Alexa Middelaer was four years old when she was struck and killed by an alcohol-impaired driver. In the seven years since her death, the province has enacted some of the toughest laws against drunk drivers in the country.
Every year, RCMP and municipal police officers are recognized for their work in stopping impaired drivers by being inducted into Alexa’s Team. Since 2008, more than 1,600 officers from all regions of the province have processed about 66,000 sanctions for alcohol and drug-related driving offences.
Sixteen members from Victoria police, West Shore RCMP and the Integrated Road Safety Unit were inducted into the team for collectively removing 700 impaired drivers from local roads in 2014. Four of the members, Const. Mark Haggan, Const. Brendon Leblanc, Const. Kerry Whitbread and Const. Ryan Wilson, were recognized as the top impaired driving investigators in the province, each taking at least 34 impaired drivers off the road.
They were among 124 officers to receive the honour. Ceremonies were held in Kelowna, Victoria and Prince George.
“I want to acknowledge and thank all those officers, from across the province, who have become part of Alexa’s Team,” said Supt. Denis Boucher, of the RCMP’s E-Division traffic section. “Their contribution to the fight against impaired driving is to be commended. The sad part of acknowledging them for their great work is that there are still those who choose to drive while impaired. The death of Alexa sparked a province to action. Unfortunately, her death is also a sobering reminder of the consequences of impaired driving.”
In October, police officers looking out for impaired drivers got a boost with the rollout of Alexa’s Bus, a mobile road-safety unit. The bus has been deployed to communities around the province, educating the public about the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as helping police remove drivers affected by alcohol and drugs from the road.
Alexa’s Team recently welcomed Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Canada as an official supporter.
Awards recognize Saanich’s green team
Saanich’s champions of the environment will be celebrated at the 16th annual Saanich Environmental Awards on Monday.
The awards were established in 2000 to promote environmental stewardship and leadership, recognizing local efforts to improve or conserve the environment and initiatives that work toward greater sustainability.
Award winners include:
• Individual citizen: Colleen O’Brien
• Volunteer organization: Friends of Swan Creek/Pulling Together Volunteers
• Business: Bernhardt Contracting
• Youth group/school: Claremont Institute for Global Solutions
• Biodiversity/conservation: Habitat Acquisition Trust
• Sustainability: Jawl Properties
• Long-term achievement: Rithet’s Bog Conservation Society
Profiles of the recipients can be found at saanich.ca/living/ natural/stewardship/enviro_awards.html.
The ceremony is free and starts at 7 p.m. June 15 in Saanich council chambers, 770 Vernon Ave.
Find out more about elder abuse
Join a free panel presentation on elder abuse on Monday, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Presenters at the event include community police, public guardian and trustee, Island Health, Better Business Bureau and Victim Services.
At the presentation, people will find out who to call if they have concerns about being abused or if they suspect someone is being abused, neglected or self-neglected. People will also find out about the top 10 scams and frauds directed towards seniors.
Door prizes and light refreshments will be served.
Pre-registration is required. There are two sessions. Morning: Doors open at 9 a.m., panel session runs 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at James Bay New Horizons, 234 Menzies St. Pre-register at 250-386-3035. Afternoon: Doors open at 1 p.m., panel session 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Monterey Recreation Centre, 1442 Monterey Ave. Pre-register at 250- 370- 7300 or email for both: [email protected].
Victoria Foundation seeks grant applications
The Victoria Foundation has started accepting applications for its community grants for the year.
Grants are awarded for programs in identified areas that contribute to the vitality and well-being of the community: Arts and Culture, Getting Started, Standard of Living, Learning, Belonging and Engagement, Safety, Sports and Recreation, Economy, Transportation, Housing, Environment, and Health and Wellness.
“The foundation is pleased to accept applications from local non-profits to undertake projects aimed at improving the quality of life in our region,” said Sandra Richardson, CEO of the organization. “Through the generosity of our donors, we have the pleasure each year of helping to fund a broad spectrum of important work all across our community.”
Last year, grants provided nearly $1.5 million to 86 non-profits on Vancouver Island, bringing the total granted by the foundation in 2014 to more than $13 million and over $144 million since the organization’s inception in 1936.
Community grants have ties to Victoria’s Vital Signs, an annual community report card produced by the foundation and sponsored by Island Savings.
Applications will be accepted until Aug. 11. For more information, or to apply online, go to victoriafoundation.ca.
Forty years for James Bay Community Project
The James Bay Community Project celebrates its 40th anniversary at its annual general meeting on Thursday.
The occasion is an opportunity to discover the history and development of health and community services, innovative health initiatives and partnerships in the community.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps is the special guest at the event.
It starts at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom on the first floor of the James Bay Community Project, 547 Michigan St. For more information, go to jbcp.bc.ca.
Empress Hotel chefs share their knowledge
Four Empress Hotel chefs will share their knowledge about cooking nutritious food on a budget with residents of Camas Gardens, a supported-housing complex for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, on Thursday.
“We believe balanced nutrition is fundamental to every person’s physical and emotional well-being, and we are thrilled to be able to share how to prepare healthy food on a budget with tenants living at Camas Gardens,” said Michael Pagnacco, executive sous chef at the hotel. “I hope other local restaurateurs and hoteliers may also extend their expertise in providing further examples of preparing nutritional meals on a budget to the residents at other Pacifica Housing complexes.”
All of the complex’s 44 tenants have been invited to join the cooking party for the meal, which includes dinner served on finely decked tables in the courtyard.
“It is wonderful to see an organization such as Empress show so much dedication to community involvement,” said Mary Ellen Van Dusen, interim executive director at Pacifica Housing. “This sends a clear message to the tenants that they are valued members of their community and there are people out there who care for them.”
Pacifica Housing is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for low-income families, persons with a disability and adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. For more information, go to pacificahousing.ca.
Big Bike ride benefits foundation
Starting Monday in Sidney, teams of 29 are going to hop on a bike — one Big Bike — to pedal around their community to celebrate their fundraising accomplishments for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Big Bike is an annual community fundraising event of the foundation, attracting teams of energetic riders pedalling their way through 200 communities in nine provinces coast to coast. In Victoria, more than 40 businesses and organizations have signed up to participate in the event, which sees them cycling up to 20 minutes.
People can cheer on the cyclists at:
• June 15: Sidney, Mary Winspear Centre
• June 16: Victoria, corner of Menzies and Superior
• June 17: Salt Spring Island, Centennial Park
• June 18: Victoria, corner of Menzies and Superior
• June 19: West Shore, Centennial Park at corner of Carlow Road and Costin Avenue
• June 21: Duncan, Duncan train station
• June 22, 23 and 24: Victoria, corner of Menzies and Superior streets.
The light-hearted event is meant to encourage people to think about, prevent, manage and live with heart disease and stroke.
Each rider commits to raising a minimum of $50 to earn a seat on the bike. The foundation hopes to raise more than $8.5 million through this and other events throughout the year.
To learn about how to contribute, or to see if seats are still available on selected rides, contact Jodi Gaiser at the Victoria office of the foundation, 250-410-8094 or [email protected]. For more information, go to bigbike.ca.
Tattoos benefit B.C. Children’s Hospital
Get a nerdy-themed tattoo to help raise money for the B.C. Children’s Hospital on Saturday.
This is the third year in a row the tattoo community of Victoria has offered to ink tattoos by minimum donation on what is called Flash Day.
The event attracted more than 400 people last year, with about 30 local artists and businesses donating their services. Over the past two years, the community has raised $29,500 to benefit the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation.
There will also be a link to a silent auction of original art on the event website.
It will be first come, first served for a variety of nerdy-themed tattoos by minimum donation. People must be 18 years and older with valid photo ID. The event runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Painted Lotus Studios, 910 Gordon St. For more information, go to paintedlotus.com/thebigshow.
Royal Oak Burial Park celebrates So(u)lstice
People not yet ready for eternal rest are invited to spend a day visiting some who are as Royal Oak Burial Park invites the public to their sixth annual Summer So(u)lstice, an afternoon featuring music and poets on Saturday.
“This event highlights the beauty of the burial park as a community landscape and creates a setting to remember family and friends who have passed,” said Stephen Olson, the park’s executive director. “It’s a welcoming atmosphere and can be a very comforting and uplifting way to take a moment to reflect on life and on loss.”
Musicians include Erin Onyschtschuk with woodwind improvisations, harpist Gwyneth Evans, choral group Ensemble Laude and Vancouver’s Homegoing Brass Band. Local poets on hand will turn visitors’ memories into poems.
Staff will be on hand to help visitors locate sites of ancestors in the 54-hectare site. Light refreshments will be served.
The event, suitable for all ages, runs 1 to 4 p.m. at the park, 4673 Falaise Dr. For more information, go to robp.ca.
Library accepting book-sale donations
Friends of the Sidney/ North Saanich Library are accepting donations of books, DVDs and CDs on Friday for their Book Sale Saturday and Sunday.
Unfortunately they cannot accept magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias, outdated computer manuals, computer software, Reader’s Digest condensed books or VHS videos.
Donations can be dropped off 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday in the Nell Horth Room, next to the library.
The book sale runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the library, 10091 Resthaven Dr. Sidney. For more information, go to virl.bc.ca.
École Mount Prevost opening Wednesday
The public is invited to the official opening of the new playground at École Mount Prevost on Wednesday.
The original school, École Duncan, closed in 2013 and was relocated to École Mount Prevost — a site with no playground.
“This new location was in a neighbourhood with a shifting demographic, fewer farms and more condensed developments,” said Mona Kaiser, a member of the school’s Parent Advisory Committee. “It was the perfect mix: a school in need of a playground and a neighbourhood in need of a park.”
The group organized fundraising events and gathered community support to create a playground.
Their efforts won them a 2013 grand prize from the Aviva Community Fund, a grant that supports Canadian projects that make a positive change in the community. Their prize, worth $125,000, was one of only four large projects chosen from more than 1,000 applications across Canada.
The grand opening ceremony runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the school, 6177 Moorfield Rd., Duncan. For more information, go to mountprevost.sd79.bc.ca or avivacommunityfund.org.
Walk to benefit Lions’ guide-dog foundation
Walk with your four-legged best friend (or go and meet one) at the Purina Walk for Dog Guides on Sunday, June 21.
The event raises funds for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, a national charitable organization that breeds, trains and places service dogs with physical and medical disabilities.
The walk is being organized by the Sooke Harbourside Lions Club and is one of more than 200 walks taking place across the country.
“A lot of time, money, and resources go into training a service dog, and the organization is able to provide them at no cost to Canadians who need them,” said Nancy Reinders, organizer and member of the Sooke Harbourside Lions Club. “These wonderful dogs make such a difference to people and their families, and I hope the community here will support that effort.”
The walk, in its 30th year, raised more than $1.1 million last year alone.
Proceeds offset the cost of breeding, training and placing dog guides, and allowing the organization to provide them at no cost.
The walk is family and dog-friendly, suitable for all ages and abilities — and you don’t need a dog to participate.
Registration and sign-in begins at 10:30 a.m. walk begins at 11 a.m. June 21 at Whiffin Spit Park, Whiffin Spit Road, Sooke.
To register or donate, visit purinawalkfordogguides.com.
