Registration is open for the annual Cst. Sarah Beckett Memorial Run on May 13. The five-kilometre family run and walk is in memory of RCMP Cst. Sarah Beckett, from the West Shore detachment, who was killed in the line of duty on April 5, 2016.
The event raises funds for non-profit organizations in the western communities. Proceeds from this year’s run will go to the Boys and Girls Club South Vancouver Island and the Goldstream Food Bank, as well as supporting the Const. Sarah Beckett Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a Langford student every year.
Registration is open for both in-person and virtual events. Registration is $50 adults $25 children under 12. The event starts at 9 a.m. on May 13 in Starlight Stadium at City Centre Park, 1089 Langford Pkwy., Langford. For registrations and event details, go to sarahbeckettmemorialrun.com.
>>> Food drive celebrates Sikh Heritage Month
It is Sikh Heritage Month and Khalsa Aid Victoria is part of a nationwide food drive to collect 20,000 meals worth of items by May 1.
The drive is in response to donations at local food banks dropping while demand from those who rely on food banks reaches an all-time high.
The event presents an opportunity to come together as a community to support those who are struggling to put food on their tables. Vegetarian and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at: Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria Gurdwara Singh Sabha (Sikh Temple), 1210 Topaz Ave; Day to Day Grocery and Produce, 50 Burnside Rd. West; and Sizzling Tandoor, #123-3600 Uptown Blvd. and #129-2955 Phipps Rd.
• For more information on the local effort, email [email protected] or phone 250-589-7550. For more information on Khalsa Aid, go to khalsaaid.org.
>>> 18 groups share $525,000 funding
The Victoria Foundation has awarded $525,000 in funding to 18 social purpose organizations as part of the Government of sa国际传媒’s Investment Readiness Program.
Nationally, the program distributed $50 million to organizations solving pressing social, cultural and environmental challenges across sa国际传媒. On Vancouver Island, the program was enhanced by $105,900 in funds from Coast Capital.
“It is inspiring to see social purpose organizations working to create a vibrant, caring community for all,” said Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO. “The Investment Readiness Program is one step in strengthening community well-being across Vancouver Island.”
The projects receiving funds include: $25,000 to the Food Share Network for Setting the Table: $25,000 to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre for marketing the Cowichan Sweater; and $20,500 to the Bike Victoria Society.
”The Investment Readiness Program is really unique in that it allows us to invest in one of our most important programs: our community cycling skills training,” said Adam Krupper, executive director at Capital Bike.
“For years, we’ve wanted to build this program to be in a position to partner with larger organizations. These partnerships would help us scale our cycling training program to reach more people by developing new curricula and programming, and to help make cycling a safe and easy activity for more people in the capital region.”
The Victoria Foundation has been the program’s Vancouver Island and Gulf Island lead since 2019.
• For more information and a full list of recipients, go to
>>> Get paddling, get fit and have fun
The Gorge-us Gals, a dragon boat team with the Fairways Gorge Paddling Club, is looking for new paddlers — no experience required.
The perfect candidates would be women 50 and older looking to exercise and share good times and fun with a group of like-minded energetic women.
The group practises on the Gorge Waterway every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• For more information, go to , Facebook or email Lorraine Cameron, team captain, at [email protected].
>>> Tea raises money for refugees
Come for tea, enjoy Syrian cuisine, meet people and help bring a refugee family to sa国际传媒 at an afternoon tea at the Duncan Christian Reformed Church on Apr. 22.
The event is one in a series of fundraisers with a goal to raise $77,000 to help reunite the family of Cowichan Valley resident Rana Faris with her sister Yasmin, Yasmin’s husband Bashar and their eight children, who have lived in a refugee camp in Jordan since escaping from the civil war in Syria 10 years ago.
“The family and their sponsors need all the help they can get,” said Rhoda Taylor, principal family sponsor.
The funds are a requirement by federal authorities to ensure the family has money to live on for at least a year in sa国际传媒.
Tickets are $15 (available at the church) for the tea, which includes Syrian desserts. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. April 22 at the Duncan Christian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd., Duncan.
You can support the effort through the sa国际传媒Helps. Funds will be held in trust by the Cowichan Intercultural Society. Go to: canadahelps.org/en/charities/cowichan-valley-intercultural-and-immigrant-aid-society/?mprompt=1. Under “Apply your donation to a fund set up by this charity,” choose Private Sponsorship — Yasmin Faris Family.
>>> Recruits invited for singing group
The West Coast Reach Association is establishing a new singing group in Victoria specifically for healing and positive change for our planet and its people. It is looking for people to join its new One Planet, One People Chorus, a multicultural, non-auditioned singing group that will be inter-generational (including youth 16 and older, adults and seniors). No previous experience in singing or performing is required, but a love of people, music and nature is needed.
Rehearsals are from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Lam Room at Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd. There is no charge, but voluntary donations to help cover costs are appreciated. For more information, go to westcoastreach.org.
