Dynamic, community-minded people are needed to help out with this year鈥檚 Victoria International Dragon Boat Festival.
The event, which takes place Aug. 10 to 12 this year, is organized by the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club.
By volunteering, people can learn some new skills, meet new people and have a great time.
A variety of positions are available, including dock hands, site safety assistants, greeters, setup team, beer-garden crew and more.
Volunteers receive on-site food and drink with a dedicated volunteer headquarters crew available at the event.
Go to to complete your application.
For more information, contact the volunteer co-ordinator at [email protected].
Blood urgently needed to save lives
Canadian Blood Services is urging Canadians to help meet patients鈥� needs this summer by donating blood and by encouraging others to roll up their sleeves as well. More than 23,000 donors across sa国际传媒 are needed by July 2.
With people away or busy with other activities, there tend to be fewer donations, making summer one of the most challenging times for sa国际传媒鈥檚 blood-donor system.
鈥淭he summer is a time for family to relax and enjoy themselves. Yet, the need for blood and blood products is constant. The need for blood does not take a holiday,鈥� said Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services鈥� chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations.
The national blood inventory meets patients鈥� needs now, but a boost in donations by sa国际传媒 Day will ensure demand is met throughout the summer.
New donors are urged to get involved.
Walk-in appointments are available at all locations. People can donate by visiting blood.ca, download the GiveBlood app or 1-888-2-DONATE.
Slash and savour salmonberries this week
The Nature Conservancy of sa国际传媒 is looking for volunteers to help restore a habitat area 鈥� and receive a tasty reward 鈥� on Thursday.
The conservation group is looking for 19 volunteers for their Slash and Savour the Salmonberry event.
The event will be of interest for people who are interested in wild food foraging.
After harvesting salmonberries, volunteers can help to clear the bushes that have overgrown an access trail on Lohbrunner Woods in Langford.
Lohbrunner Woods is a second-growth maturing forest in Langford鈥檚 Happy Valley.
The 10-hectare property encompasses coastal Douglas fir habitat, rocky bluffs and open meadows that feature arbutus, camas and other native wildflowers.
The property is frequented by a variety of birds, including bald eagles and woodpeckers, and it remains a key conservation area in a region largely converted to agriculture.
The Nature Conservancy of sa国际传媒 acquired the property with the assistance of the Government of sa国际传媒鈥檚 Natural Areas Conservation Program, a unique public-private partnership to accelerate the pace of land conservation across southern sa国际传媒.
To register to help or find out more, go to , [email protected] or contact Travis Muir at 250-413-8013.
Open garden at Serenity Farm
Serenity Farm is hosting its annual Open Garden on Tuesday.
You can tour the community garden, intended to create positive change to those struggling with homelessness, chronic offending, mental illness and/or addiction.
The event runs 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday on the grounds of the Seven Oaks Facility, 4575 Blenkinsop Rd.
Go to or email at [email protected].
Disabled action group holding open house
The Action Committee of People with Disabilities is holding an open house to celebrate 43 years serving the Greater Victoria area.
The not-for-profit society is committed to working toward equal opportunity and participation of people with disabilities in the community.
They offer one-on-one help with: Canadian Pension Plan; Person with Disability applications through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction; Old Age Security and other income security; application for subsidized housing as well as help and support with reconsideration or tribunals.
The event is from 1 to 4:30 p.m. June 29 in the Community Room of the main branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library, 735 Broughton St. Go to .
Ride Don鈥檛 Hide fundraiser at Windsor Park
Ride Don鈥檛 Hide, a walking and cycling event, aims to raise funds and put an end to the stigma of mental illness.
Organizers say today鈥檚 event is the largest mental-health bike ride in sa国际传媒, raising funds for mental-health programs and services in their communities.
There are a number of options for participant: A five-kilometre walk, seven-kilometre family ride, 18-km beginner ride, 28-km intermediate ride, 52-km advanced and 100-km extreme ride.
The start times are staggered from 6:30 to 9:10 a.m. today from Windsor Park in Oak Bay.
Go to .
Help the less fortunate, win ice cream
Win a summer鈥檚 worth of ice cream at a raffle hosted by the Soap for Hope program.
The program provides hygiene kits to local shelters, transitional homes, food banks and low-income seniors in communities across Vancouver Island.
By collecting soap from hotels, they also help reduce landfill waste.
Raffle tickets are five for $10. The winner will receive 50 coupons for free ice cream at Jackson鈥檚 Ice Cream at Fisherman鈥檚 Wharf (valued at $300). These tickets have no expiry date and you can used them one at a time or bring your family and friends.
The draw will be on July 4.
For more information, email [email protected] or go to .
UVic prof launches book on sa国际传媒 orcas
University of Victoria professor Jason Colby recently launched Orca: How We Came to Know and Love the Ocean鈥檚 Greatest Predator, a new book on the history of British Columbia鈥檚 relationship with orcas, last week at the Maritime Museum of sa国际传媒
The event ties in with the museum鈥檚 featured summer exhibit, A Whale鈥檚 Tale: The Incredible Story of British Columbia鈥檚 Changing Relationship with the Giants of the Deep.
Go to .
Saanich honours citizens, groups for eco-work
Last week, local environmental champions were recognized for their work in the 19th annual Saanich Environmental Awards.
鈥淭hese awards are a great opportunity to recognize the many deserving individuals and organizations that play a vital role in protecting the natural environment throughout the district,鈥� said Leif Wergeland, chair of the Saanich Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee.
鈥淧rotecting our natural environment is essential to maintaining the balance, well-being and livability of Saanich鈥檚 many diverse communities and neighbourhoods.鈥�
Awards were presented in the following categories:
鈥� Individual environmental achievement 鈥� Audrey Barnes
鈥� Volunteer organization 鈥� Friends of Bow/Brodrick Parks
鈥� Business 鈥� McCall Gardens
鈥� Youth 鈥� Charlotte Brady, Anastasia Castro, Grace Poole
鈥� Biodiversity conservation 鈥� Julian Andersen
鈥� Sustainability 鈥� Linda Geggie
鈥� Long-term achievement 鈥� Shelagh Levey
Past winners have been involved in projects such as invasive species removal, environmental education, native plant propagation, waste reduction and conservation on private property. Business awards have been given for sustainable developments and energy-efficiency programs, among others.
In addition, Saanich Council and the B.C Sustainability Association presented the association鈥檚 Cool It! Award to Mr. Allsopp鈥檚 Grade 7 class from Glanford Middle School.
For more information about this year鈥檚 recipients, go to saanich.ca/enviroawards. For more information about BCSEA鈥檚 Cool It program, go to bcsea.org/cool-it.
Welcome House Project greets refugee families
The District of Oak Bay and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society are partnering to provide affordable housing for refugee families.
Oak Bay is working with the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society to provide housing at municipally owned homes at 1531 Hampshire Rd. and 1538 Monterey Ave.
Renovations on the properties were undertaken by volunteers and managed by construction firm ARYZE. A family of six is expected to move in this summer.
鈥淩efugee initiatives like Hampshire House and Monterey House help shape our neighbourhoods for the better,鈥� said Julia Schenck, ARYZE鈥檚 creative director.
Donations of new, boxed items for the homes are needed, including double beds, double sheet sets, toaster oven, crock pot, rice cooker, electric kettle, electric mixer, blender and flatware.
Contact VIRCS鈥� director, Geanine Robey, at 250-213-3128 or [email protected].
