Community

Liz King (left) and Rodolfo Calero from UBC join UVic’s Jeanie Gunn in loading 600 caps and gowns onto a truck bound for UBC. (Courtesy of UBC)

UVic jumps in to help outfit UBC grads left without caps and gowns due to storm

Cap, gown delivery delayed by storm damage

Liz King (left) and Rodolfo Calero from UBC join UVic’s Jeanie Gunn in loading 600 caps and gowns onto a truck bound for UBC. (Courtesy of UBC)
Members of Greater Victoria’s Green Team in Colwood’s Perimeter Park. (Green Team Greater Victoria)

Greater Victoria Green Team tackles invasive in Colwood park

Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry removed from Perimeter Park

Members of Greater Victoria’s Green Team in Colwood’s Perimeter Park. (Green Team Greater Victoria)
The Sanctuary Youth Centre in Victoria is open weekends for youth at risk. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Victoria sanctuary offers youth safe, dry space and room to build relationships

Sanctuary Youth Centre open to youth at risk Fridays through Sundays

The Sanctuary Youth Centre in Victoria is open weekends for youth at risk. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Poinsettias for Patients campaign coordinator Val Smith and Shreesha Ramandev, 12, celebrate her sales that will help fund a waiting room for youth at Victoria General Hospital. (Courtesy Victoria General Hospital Auxiliary)

Oak Bay student champions poinsettia fundraiser for kids facing health crises at Victoria hospital

Young student raises funds, awareness for Kids Kave at VGH

Poinsettias for Patients campaign coordinator Val Smith and Shreesha Ramandev, 12, celebrate her sales that will help fund a waiting room for youth at Victoria General Hospital. (Courtesy Victoria General Hospital Auxiliary)
An ice carver works magic at the outdoor skating area at City Centre Park in a past holiday event. The carvers will be back as part of Langford’s 2021 Christmas activities and events. (Courtesy of the City of Langford)

Festive family friendly events return to Langford this holiday season

Carriage rides, workshops, outdoor skating and more in the lineup

An ice carver works magic at the outdoor skating area at City Centre Park in a past holiday event. The carvers will be back as part of Langford’s 2021 Christmas activities and events. (Courtesy of the City of Langford)
Hope the golden retriever puppy is surrounded by volunteers at Hope Secondary School. The adorable guest was renamed as a way of saying thank you to the many volunteers who helped hundreds of people during the floods in Hope. (Photo/Hope Secondary School)

‘It’s a mascot!’: Rescued puppy renamed as salute to flood aid volunteers in Hope

“Hope” sheltered at HSS for three days with their family

Hope the golden retriever puppy is surrounded by volunteers at Hope Secondary School. The adorable guest was renamed as a way of saying thank you to the many volunteers who helped hundreds of people during the floods in Hope. (Photo/Hope Secondary School)
Sooke’s resident Santa will be returning this year. He will be outside the A&W in front of the Evergreen Centre every weekend in December from 1 to 3 p.m., leading up to Chrismas. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Santa returning for outdoor events

He’ll be outside the AW every weekend in December

Sooke’s resident Santa will be returning this year. He will be outside the A&W in front of the Evergreen Centre every weekend in December from 1 to 3 p.m., leading up to Chrismas. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.

Jillian Harris joins Do Some Good to drive more community impact

Team Jilly’s 12 Days of Giving campaign runs Dec. 1 to 12

  • Nov 22, 2021
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.
“That money has to last 365 days a year, because that’s how many days we’re on the street helping vulnerable individuals.” (Breanna Himmelright/Black Press Media)

Salvation Army kicks off red kettle campaign with extra flood donation goal

Divisional secretary Mike Leland says this year’s need is ‘through the roof’

  • Nov 22, 2021
“That money has to last 365 days a year, because that’s how many days we’re on the street helping vulnerable individuals.” (Breanna Himmelright/Black Press Media)
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.

Ellie’s journey: Rare condition points to critical research need

BC Children’s Hospital shares need for increased research for childhood cancers

  • Nov 22, 2021
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.
Saanich Coun. Judy Brownoff was well received speaking about the district’s efforts, at the international Age-friendly Cities and Communities Summit, held recently in a virtual format. (Black Press Media file photo)

Councillor shares Saanich’s age-friendly actions at international conference

Judy Brownoff passionate about ensuring the well-being of older adults in the community

Saanich Coun. Judy Brownoff was well received speaking about the district’s efforts, at the international Age-friendly Cities and Communities Summit, held recently in a virtual format. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Good Food Network’s annual gathering, set for Nov. 26 andf 27, allows the community to find solutions to food insecurity in Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable)

Food insecurity in Greater Victoria central theme of Good Food Gathering

Educational, informational event set for Nov. 26-27 to run virtually and in person

The Good Food Network’s annual gathering, set for Nov. 26 andf 27, allows the community to find solutions to food insecurity in Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable)
The McTavish Academy of Art has created limited edition superhero art kits as part of this month’s Help Fill a Dream fundraiser. (Photo Courtesy of Help Fill a Dream)

Superheroes fundraiser for sick kids in Greater Victoria adds new ways to donate

Purchases of art kits, calendars and oils matched by doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation

The McTavish Academy of Art has created limited edition superhero art kits as part of this month’s Help Fill a Dream fundraiser. (Photo Courtesy of Help Fill a Dream)
Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch awards longtime community volunteer Margaret Lidkea a place in the Oak Bay Wall of Fame. (Photo by Hazel Braithwaite)

Decades of dedication earn educator place on Oak Bay Wall of Fame

Friends of Uplands leader recognized for nearly 30 years of work

Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch awards longtime community volunteer Margaret Lidkea a place in the Oak Bay Wall of Fame. (Photo by Hazel Braithwaite)
Victoria resident and ultra-marathoner Veronique Bourbeau wants to use her gift for running to give back. She hopes to provide safe drinking water to villages throughout Africa during her fundraising the length of the continent. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Victoria woman aims to provide safe water, set world record with trans-African run

Veronique Bourbeau plans to run 13,000 kilometres over the course of a year

Victoria resident and ultra-marathoner Veronique Bourbeau wants to use her gift for running to give back. She hopes to provide safe drinking water to villages throughout Africa during her fundraising the length of the continent. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Boats adorned with Christmas lights cruise Willows Beach during a past Sea of Lights sailing. (Black Press Media file photo)

Royal Victoria Yacht Club powers up popular nautical holiday parade

Sea of Lights sets sail on Dec. 3 along Oak Bay, Saanich shorelines

Boats adorned with Christmas lights cruise Willows Beach during a past Sea of Lights sailing. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Salvation Army’s emergency response units are on the ground providing food and other items to flood victims and first responders in B.C. communities that have been impacted. (Salvation Army photo)

Salvation Army launches emergency response in support of flood victims

Agency on front lines in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kamloops and Kelowna

The Salvation Army’s emergency response units are on the ground providing food and other items to flood victims and first responders in B.C. communities that have been impacted. (Salvation Army photo)
Dani Tate-Stratton (left) and Toryn Sundstrom (right) sit atop their recently acquired BC Ferries lifeboat, a project piece they plan to turn into their home. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Greater Victoria couple converting BC Ferries lifeboat into luxury liveaboard

Lifeboat was originally designed for 60 people and three days of emergency rations

Dani Tate-Stratton (left) and Toryn Sundstrom (right) sit atop their recently acquired BC Ferries lifeboat, a project piece they plan to turn into their home. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Carey Salvador of the Mary Winspear Centre is already in the holiday spirit as Peninsula Santa’s Helpers’ annual Saanich Peninsula Holiday Toy Drive is underway. The campaign is exclusively collecting monetary donations with all funds used to purchase gifts for Peninsula children in need. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Money talks again for Saanich Peninsula toy drive amid pandemic protocols

Last year’s Holiday Toy Drive raised $8,705 to purchase toys for families in need

Carey Salvador of the Mary Winspear Centre is already in the holiday spirit as Peninsula Santa’s Helpers’ annual Saanich Peninsula Holiday Toy Drive is underway. The campaign is exclusively collecting monetary donations with all funds used to purchase gifts for Peninsula children in need. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
National Child Day, an initiative of Children First Canada, was celebrated at Stelly’s Secondary School in Cental Saanich on Nov. 16. (Children First Canada/Facebook)

Stelly’s Secondary students in Central Saanich join celebration of National Child Day

Nationwide event Nov. 16 honoured resilience of children, unique rights of Indigenous children

National Child Day, an initiative of Children First Canada, was celebrated at Stelly’s Secondary School in Cental Saanich on Nov. 16. (Children First Canada/Facebook)