Community

Pulse

Victoria Foundation + local donors support vital community rebuilding

Community Recovery Program distributes $3.13+ million to local organizations

  • Jul 26, 2021

 

George Robinson waves as concrete trucks go by during a parade held in his honour – family, friends, and former colleagues gathered to show their love and appreciation for him. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

VIDEO: Saanich truck parade celebrates 91-year-old’s 45-year career at Butler Concrete

Arranged by daughters and former colleagues who remember their time working with him fondly

 

Nanaimo’s Michael Suiker is trying to track down family members who might like 10 photo albums he salvaged at an estate sale in 2018. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

B.C. man who once had personal mementos stolen wants to unite family with old photos

Nanaimo’s Michael Suiker salvaged 10 photo albums at estate sale three years ago

 

Ted Puska reveals the name of the winning entry for the Doug Bodger autographed hockey jersey from his own collection that he made available in a draw for those who provided financial support to help with medical expenses. (Photo by Don Bodger)

8 years waiting for kidney transplant ends in success for Vancouver Island man

Surgery has active Ladysmith resident Puska back to his old self

Ted Puska reveals the name of the winning entry for the Doug Bodger autographed hockey jersey from his own collection that he made available in a draw for those who provided financial support to help with medical expenses. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Victoria Foundation is helping local charities through its community recovery program. (Pixabay.com)

Sooke charities receive $100,000 in funding

Funds used to help weather COVID-pandemic

The Victoria Foundation is helping local charities through its community recovery program. (Pixabay.com)
A two-hour kayaking trip is one of three prizes awarded in the Sooke Transition Society Staycation in Victoria raffle. (Pixabay.com)

Staycation in Victoria raffle aids women’s transition house in Sooke

Online draw date July 29

A two-hour kayaking trip is one of three prizes awarded in the Sooke Transition Society Staycation in Victoria raffle. (Pixabay.com)
Reb Stevenson, general director of the Gorge Tillicum Community Association, started off their neighbourhood’s amateur art installation event with an Ode to Canadian short film, the Log Driver’s Waltz. (Courtesy of Gorge Tillicum Community Association)

Ode to Log Driver’s Waltz among art installations popping up in Saanich neighbourhood

Gorge Tillicum Community Association calling for amateur front yard art

Reb Stevenson, general director of the Gorge Tillicum Community Association, started off their neighbourhood’s amateur art installation event with an Ode to Canadian short film, the Log Driver’s Waltz. (Courtesy of Gorge Tillicum Community Association)
Victoria News and Monday Magazine are proud to announce the publication of Finding Hope: Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence, produced with community partners the Victoria Foundation and Island Health.

Finding Hope: Publication aims to help break the cycle of domestic violence

The statistics are sobering: 60 per cent of British Columbia residents know…

  • Jul 12, 2021
Victoria News and Monday Magazine are proud to announce the publication of Finding Hope: Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence, produced with community partners the Victoria Foundation and Island Health.
OPINION SIG

SOOKE HISTORY: Tall ships in Sooke Harbour

Many tall ships have entered the harbour over the years

  • Jun 28, 2021
OPINION SIG
Peter Hudson and Tyler Bob (from left) are the organizers of Orange Day in the Bay. (Photo submitted)

Mid-Island festival offering music, comedy and support for residential school survivors

‘Orange Day in the Bay’ taking place on Canada Day in Snaw-Naw-As First Nation

Peter Hudson and Tyler Bob (from left) are the organizers of Orange Day in the Bay. (Photo submitted)
Members of the Gettin’ Higher Choir sing during a fundraiser concert held last week over video chat. (Gettin’ Higher Choir/YouTube)

Victoria’s choir joined for online concert by Canadian musical icon Bruce Cockburn

Gettin’ Higher Choir raises $22,000 with annual Voices Rising: a Fundraiser for Mozambique

Members of the Gettin’ Higher Choir sing during a fundraiser concert held last week over video chat. (Gettin’ Higher Choir/YouTube)
A District of Saanich survey found residents feel content with their quality of life overall, with improvements in infrastructure and safety at the top of respondents’ minds. (Black Press Media file photo)

Citizen survey finds 88 per cent of Saanich residents content with overall quality of life

Infrastructure tops list of areas requiring improvements

A District of Saanich survey found residents feel content with their quality of life overall, with improvements in infrastructure and safety at the top of respondents’ minds. (Black Press Media file photo)
Combined with local, provincial and national statistics, Victoria’s Vital Signs survey results will create a snapshot of Greater Victoria livability and wellbeing that will guide donors and decision-makers in programming and funding decisions.

25 million+ Vital reasons to take this local survey today

Deadline is July 1 to participate in this year’s Victoria’s Vital Signs

  • Jun 21, 2021
Combined with local, provincial and national statistics, Victoria’s Vital Signs survey results will create a snapshot of Greater Victoria livability and wellbeing that will guide donors and decision-makers in programming and funding decisions.
Indigenous Perspective Society, which among myriad programs is providing Cultural Perspectives Training to help governments, organizations, businesses and individuals deepen their understanding, increase cultural competence, and develop actionable ideas to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

Building the community we want: Caring, inclusive + thriving

Each year, the Victoria Foundation, through the Victoria’s Vital Signs Survey, invites…

  • Jun 14, 2021
Indigenous Perspective Society, which among myriad programs is providing Cultural Perspectives Training to help governments, organizations, businesses and individuals deepen their understanding, increase cultural competence, and develop actionable ideas to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
Longtime Cadboro Bay resident Eric Dahli, 78, has stepped down from his role as chair of the community association board after nearly 20 years. (Photo submitted by Eric Dahli)

Longtime Saanich neighbourhood volunteer stepping back to tend to bucket list

Eric Dahli, a Cadboro Bay Residents’ Association stalwart since 1999, making travel plans

  • Jun 6, 2021
Longtime Cadboro Bay resident Eric Dahli, 78, has stepped down from his role as chair of the community association board after nearly 20 years. (Photo submitted by Eric Dahli)
Greysen Miller is loving the response to his campaign for gates to be installed on the gaga ball pits at Chemainus Elementary School and others across the school district. (Photo by Robyn Plumsteel)

Donors go gaga for Vancouver Island youngster’s ball pit fundraiser

People get on board with Chemainus student’s idea to make wheelchair accessible

Greysen Miller is loving the response to his campaign for gates to be installed on the gaga ball pits at Chemainus Elementary School and others across the school district. (Photo by Robyn Plumsteel)
Back in 1936, Burges Gadsden, right, had a seemingly simple, yet innovative, idea: Build an organization that with a solid source of funds could provide support to local charities. With $20 donated by his mother, Fannie, Gadsen founded the Victoria Foundation out of the Sunshine Inn, a soup kitchen he ran on Pandora Avenue.

How an innovative idea + $20 created 85-year community legacy

Back in 1936, Burges Gadsden had a seemingly simple, yet innovative, idea:…

  • May 24, 2021
Back in 1936, Burges Gadsden, right, had a seemingly simple, yet innovative, idea: Build an organization that with a solid source of funds could provide support to local charities. With $20 donated by his mother, Fannie, Gadsen founded the Victoria Foundation out of the Sunshine Inn, a soup kitchen he ran on Pandora Avenue.
Reunited and it feels so good, Stefan and Josh are back together again. (Photo by Cim MacDonald)

Snipe hunting brothers reunited in Chemainus (and it feels so good)

Ten long years of fundraising leads to replacement of bronze figure in signature downtown artpiece

Reunited and it feels so good, Stefan and Josh are back together again. (Photo by Cim MacDonald)
Queen Elizabeth II and Clive Holland, deputy commonwealth president of the Royal Life Saving Society, top left, virtually present Dr. Steve Beerman, top right, with the King Edward VII Cup for his drowning-prevention work. Tanner Gorille and Sarah Downs were honoured with Russell Medals for their life-saving resuscitation. (Buckingham Palace photo)

Queen presents Vancouver Island doctor with award for global drowning prevention

Dr. Steve Beerman receives Royal Life Saving Society’s King Edward VII Cup at virtual ceremony

Queen Elizabeth II and Clive Holland, deputy commonwealth president of the Royal Life Saving Society, top left, virtually present Dr. Steve Beerman, top right, with the King Edward VII Cup for his drowning-prevention work. Tanner Gorille and Sarah Downs were honoured with Russell Medals for their life-saving resuscitation. (Buckingham Palace photo)
Victoria’s Vital Signs helps inform local governments and donors as they direct resources to areas of greatest need. Recognizing that 20 per cent of the region’s young adults live in the West Shore and can’t readily access rehearsals in the core, a grant helped the community-building choir SingYourJoy expand to the western communities. Brad Edwards Photography

Why the Victoria’s Vital Signs Survey matters to your neighbourhood

The 16th annual survey continues to July 1

  • May 10, 2021
Victoria’s Vital Signs helps inform local governments and donors as they direct resources to areas of greatest need. Recognizing that 20 per cent of the region’s young adults live in the West Shore and can’t readily access rehearsals in the core, a grant helped the community-building choir SingYourJoy expand to the western communities. Brad Edwards Photography