Co-op offers $100,000 matching gift to Cancer Foundation
Peninsula Co-op has announced a $100,000 matching gift to the B.C. Cancer Foundation for its ongoing campaign to support the B.C. Cancer–Victoria Ernie & Yvonne Yakimovich Integrated Care and Research Pavilion.
The pavilion is at 2340 Richmond Rd. in the former 91原创 National Institute for the Blind building, across the street from the local B.C. Cancer Agency centre and Royal Jubilee Hospital precinct.
The 12,000-square-foot pavilion — scheduled to open in the spring of 2025 — will provide space for supportive-care programs, patient and family counselling and a portion of the Clinical Trials Unit — with the latter freeing up space in the main centre for patient care.
The foundation needs less than $1 million to reach its goal of raising $11.3 million to fully fund the purchase and renovation of the pavilion.
The matching gift effort started Nov. 22 and runs through Friday, with Peninsula Co-op to match donations up to $100,000.
“We are honoured to support the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s campaign to bring this Integrated Care and Research Pavilion to life,” said Lindsay Gaudette, the Co-op’s director of marketing and community relations. “This matching gift reflects our shared commitment to improving the lives of those affected by cancer on 91原创 Island.”
William Litchfield, executive director for the foundation on 91原创 Island, said the Co-op is giving the public a chance to make a “transformative impact” on the campaign.
“Every dollar raised brings us closer to establishing a dedicated space for supportive-care services that will profoundly improve the care journey for thousands of local patients and their families each year.”
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Royal Bay Secondary students collect for food bank
Students at Royal Bay Secondary will be hitting the streets of Colwood this week to collect donated food for the Goldstream Food Bank.
The goal of the 10,000 Tonight Food Drive, which began in 2009 at Belmont Secondary and also involves Edward Milne Community School, is to collect at least 10,000 food items in one night.
On Wednesday, Royal Bay students will go door-to-door from 5-9 p.m in Colwood gathering non-perishable food items and monetary donations.
“Our student leaders work extremely hard to organize this event and we are always amazed at how both our school and local community are able to provide their generous support, year after year without fail,” said Royal Bay teacher Jocelynne Richards, noting the holiday season is a difficult time for many individuals and families in the West Shore and Sooke communities.
“10,000 Tonight is not only a fantastic way for students and community members to build a shared sense of identity, but it is also an essential way to give back to the community.”
Food donations can be left at the doorstep for pickup if people won’t be at home.
Any cheques should be made payable to the Goldstream Food Bank Society or School District No. 62.
Edward Milne Community School students will kick off their effort at the Sooke Santa Parade next Sunday, Dec. 8, then will have a presence at Sooke storefronts for donations from Dec. 9-15.
Their door-to-door canvassing in the Sooke area — called the 10,000 Tonight Winter Warmer — is set for Dec. 13 from 5-8 p.m.
Belmont students already had a food-bank collection event in October.
Six receive awards for maritime achievements
Six people have been honoured with the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement, a collaboration between the Government House Foundation and the Maritime Museum of B.C.
The award, first given last year, recognizes individuals and organizations that have contributed to B.C.’s maritime interests in such areas as technology, business, applications of maritime skills, and nautical heritage and culture.
“Given the scale of our province’s coastline, tremendous rivers and bountiful lakes, and the influence these have had on B.C.’s history, it is important to recognize those who continue to shape our maritime experiences and trades,” said Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin.
The awards went to the following:
• Shipwright and wooden boat-building expert Brent Jesperson
• Author and restorer of fish species Billy Proctor of Echo Bay in the Central Coast
• Thirty-year Royal 91原创 Navy marine engineer Capt. Alex Rueben, founder of such organizations as the Association of B.C. Marine Industries
• Dr. Marianne Scott, a writer on marine topics and a contributor for decades to 91原创 Yachting magazine.
• Graham Scholes, a mokuhanga (traditional Japanese woodblock print) artist known for his series of prints of B.C. lighthouses
• Scotty Manufacturing Ltd., founded in Victoria in 1952 by Blayney and Almeda Scott, which exports fishing, outdoor and firefighting products made at its Sidney manufacturing facility.
CHEK’s Christmas drive Friday at Kings headquarters
CHEK TV’s annual Christmas Drive Thru is being held Friday from 5-7 p.m. at its headquarters at 780 Kings Rd., the West Shore Parks and Recreation Centre at 1767 Island Highway and Nanaimo’s Steve Marshall Ford at 3851 Shenton Rd.
New, unwrapped toys and cash donations will be collected for the Salvation Army — with Drive Thru donors having a chance to be featured live on television.
Last year’s event brought in more then $70,000 and 3,000 toys.
People can also call in donations to an accompanying live telethon Friday at 1-877-255-4445 or drop off contributions at one of the sites.
Mounties to cram cruisers with food for a cause
Sooke RCMP are getting into the spirit of the season with a Cram the Cruiser event.
The public is invited to help stuff a police cruiser with food items for the Sooke Food Bank on Wednesday from 2-7 p.m. at the Village Food Market, located at 6661 Sooke Rd.
Nanaimo RCMP will follow suit on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with a Cram the Cruiser event of their own in front of Country Grocer at 1800 Dufferin Cres.
Donated food will go to the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank.
It is easy to forget that many in our community face financial hardships, especially during the holiday season,” said Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien. “Taking a few minutes from your day to donate food items can have a significant impact on those who are struggling just to get by.
B.C. Transit is following the same them with its annual Stuff the Bus event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Save-on-Foods at Tillicum Centre.
The object is fill a double-decker bus with food, toys and clothing for the Mustard Seed and the Salvation Army.
Shelbourne kitchen’s campaign all about families
The Shelbourne Community Kitchen’s third annual Donate and Double Your Impact Holiday Campaign begins today and runs through Dec. 31, with a goal of providing food for more than 1,600 individuals and families — and also adding special holiday touches to what they give out.
Close to 700 children will be among those helped.
The community kitchen is a 12-year-old neighbourhood food centre with two gardens that provide most of their produce from May to September, and a Pantry Program where people can select their own food items.
It also runs cooking and food-skills programs.
Executive director Kim Cummins said the holidays are the kitchen’s most crucial fundraising period.
“We are deeply grateful to the donors who made this matching campaign possible,” Cummins said. “This is a fantastic opportunity to help make the season bright, as donors can maximize their impact and stretch their charitable giving even further.”
The rising cost of food and housing has created a growing need for support, the group says.
Past board chair Clarice Dillman said more seniors and students are turning to the community kitchen for help for the first time. “It’s heartbreaking to witness a senior reaching out for assistance in these tough times.”
Donations to the campaign will be matched up to $15,000, and can be made online at or through CanadaHelps at .
