Holiday giving

Sipili Molia, regional kettle manager, shows off the Salvation Army’s new contactless donation system for the 2020 Christmas Kettle Campaign. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria raises record-breaking $350,000 for Salvation Army

The charity says it’s seen an increase in need since COVID-19 hit

 

Parksville’s Christiana Conway, left, husband Chris Conway, right, and friend Elizabeth Doell write letters designed to bring Christmas cheer to senior residents at area care homes. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island woman helps create special messages of Christmas cheer for seniors

Hand-written letters designed to help lonely residents during holiday season

 

The team at Rather Be Plumbing will work for free on Dec. 18, 19 and 20 to give back to the community. (Photo courtesy Jarod Hughes)

Saanich plumbing company offers free services for those in need ahead of Christmas

Rather Be Plumbing to help those in need for free, pandemic protocols in place

 

The Victoria Women’s Professional Group collected more than 400 hygiene kits for Women in Need in November. Left to right: Cassandra Little, social media and content coordinator; Portia Zaffaroni, co-founder and president; and Breia Monti, discover local YYJ marketing coordinator. (Courtesy of Portia Zaffaroni)

Victoria women’s group collects 418 hygiene kits for Women in Need

Victoria Women’s Professional Group kicks off the giving season

The Victoria Women’s Professional Group collected more than 400 hygiene kits for Women in Need in November. Left to right: Cassandra Little, social media and content coordinator; Portia Zaffaroni, co-founder and president; and Breia Monti, discover local YYJ marketing coordinator. (Courtesy of Portia Zaffaroni)
The University of Victoria will mark the eighth annual Giving Tuesday with its Add Sprinkles campaign which collects funds to support various student initiatives across campus. (Photo courtesy UVic Photo Services)

Nearly 150 Greater Victoria groups prepare for eighth annual Giving Tuesday

Last year Canadians raised nearly $22 million in 24 hours

The University of Victoria will mark the eighth annual Giving Tuesday with its Add Sprinkles campaign which collects funds to support various student initiatives across campus. (Photo courtesy UVic Photo Services)
Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Pandemic alters holiday business strategies for Victoria merchants

Many independent merchants count on holiday shopping to get them through quiet periods

Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The theme of this year’s Gingerbread Showcase is Coastal Living. Creations will be on display Nov. 21 to Jan. 3. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Gingerbread Showcase the perfect COVID-safe activity

People can view the edible creations from outside Nov. 21 to Jan. 3

The theme of this year’s Gingerbread Showcase is Coastal Living. Creations will be on display Nov. 21 to Jan. 3. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
M’akola Housing Society is asking the public for donations to help fund their annual christmas holiday gift program for Indigenous families that live in affordable housing units around Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C’s top Indigenous affordable housing provider asking for holiday donations

Organization handed out $15,000 worth of gift cards during Christmas in 2019

M’akola Housing Society is asking the public for donations to help fund their annual christmas holiday gift program for Indigenous families that live in affordable housing units around Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Murray and Lynda Farmer have pledged to match up to $50,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation on Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3. (File contributed/BC Cancer Foundation)

Greater Victoria couple pledges to match donations for BC Cancer on Giving Tuesday

Murray and Lynda Farmer will match donations up to $50,000

Murray and Lynda Farmer have pledged to match up to $50,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation on Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3. (File contributed/BC Cancer Foundation)