The Maritime Museum of British Columbia has received funding to provide programs, walking tours and free admission to vulnerable people.
The museum has received almost $15,000 from the Victoria Foundation.
鈥淚t is important to serve all parts of our local community, and that no one is left behind,鈥� said Brittany Vis, associate director of the museum. 鈥淭his funding helps to ensure that all members of society have the opportunity to benefit from the many different types of museum experiences that we offer. Museums have the ability to create a sense of belonging and well-being within a community, and more often than not, at-risk populations are the most in need of this.鈥�
Funds will be spread out to cover walking tours, Museum Tots, Maritime Memories and craft workshops for those who do not have the means to cover the costs themselves.
The museum will do this through partnerships with organizations that serve those experiencing marginalization or homelessness, or other at-risk people.
Some of these programs can be delivered off-site and in a space that the participants feel comfortable in.
For more information, go to .
Rain Walk a benefit for cancer patients
Take a walk bathed in liquid sunshine at the InspireHealth Rain Walk, a fundraiser to ensure continuing care for more than 3,500 cancer patients and their families, March 9 from the Glenlyon Norfolk Middle and Senior School gymnasium.
Almost 30,000 British Columbians will be diagnosed with cancer this year and statistics tell us that one in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
InspireHealth is a not-for-profit supportive cancer-care organization that offers free programs and services.
鈥淲e are very privileged to offer such comprehensive supportive cancer-care services in sa国际传媒, at no charge to patients and their loved ones,鈥� said Rachel Mark, clinical director of InspireHealth Victoria. 鈥淭his event raises awareness and much-needed funds for this critical support service located right here on your doorstep in Victoria.鈥�
The Rain Walk, a non-competitive, family-friendly five-kilometre walk, encourages everyone to stay active, rain or shine, while celebrating the cancer community.
Local businesses are supporting the walk by providing healthy snacks and beverages, giveaways and more to participants. Duttons Property Management and Boutique Real Estate Sales is a sponsor of this year鈥檚 event.
InspireHealth was founded in 1997 in Vancouver. It has additional centres in Victoria and Kelowna. Services include practical and personalized exercise therapy, stress management, nutrition and counselling services.
The Rain Walk runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 9. It starts from the Glenlyon Norfolk Middle and Senior School Gymnasium, 801 Bank St.
To register, go to .
Place of hope at sa国际传媒ions Place
People living with mental illness can now find opportunity and hope at sa国际传媒ions Place, the city鈥檚 first Clubhouse International at 3375 Oak St.
It has taken five years to make the club, which opened Thursday, a reality. It will be a place for people to find a sense of belonging through meaningful work and relationships.
鈥淲e look forward to welcoming many people who will be able to spend as much time as they want at our clubhouse,鈥� said Georgina Patko, executive director. 鈥淗ere they will be engaged in work that suits their varied skills and abilities. With time, we will be finding them work in the community if that鈥檚 something they want, and we will be able to offer employers 100 per cent coverage for entry-level employment opportunities.鈥�
Membership is expected to result in less pressure on social services, less time for people in hospital, less incarcerations and general improvement in the quality of life for people living with mental illness, said Patko.
The Clubhouse model was established in 1948 and now boasts more than 330 operating around the world 鈥� including 18 in sa国际传媒.
For more information, go to .
Heritage talk wraps up Heritage Week
Enjoy the last day of Heritage Week in British Columbia, with a Talk and Tea at the Log Cabin Museum today.
The talk is called Heritage 鈥� The Tie That Binds. It looks at themes covering country, community and families 鈥� and what those ties mean to us.
The event is hosted by the Saanich Pioneer Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historical records in the Saanich Peninsula.
The society, founded in 1870, manages a museum that chronicles the history of the land encountered by settlers who came to the region in the 1800s. Its collection includes historical records, First Nations artifacts, and farm and household items.
Admission to the Talk and Tea is $5 for members, $7.50 for non-members. The event starts at 2 p.m. followed by refreshments at the Log Cabin Museum, 7910 Polo Park Cres., Saanichton (off the 7900 block of East Saanich Road and behind Thrifty Foods). There is a access ramp for those with limited mobility.
For more information, go to .
Hygiene products will fill bus
Help fill a bus with feminine hygiene products for women in need at Period Promise: Fill the Bus, an initiative by the United Way Greater Victoria, March 2 at Hillside Shopping Centre.
Periods are a fact of life and monthly menstrual products are a necessity. Sadly, too many people can鈥檛 afford them.
This fundraiser and awareness program aims to highlight the fact that nobody should have to pick between feeding their family and affording basic hygiene products.
People are encouraged to help fill a sa国际传媒 Transit bus with unopened boxes of tampons, pads and other menstrual hygiene products. Products collected will be distributed to United Way-funded agencies the following week as a lead-up to International Women鈥檚 Day.
The initiative is a partnership between the United Way Greater Victoria Labour Committee, sa国际传媒 Transit, Hillside Centre, the Victoria Labour Council and United Way Greater Victoria.
The collection takes place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Hillside Shopping Centre, northeast parking lot (corner of Shelbourne Street and North Dairy Road).
For more information, go to .
Cuba needs help after tornado
Help Cubans affected by a tornado that hit Havana by attending a salsa event organized by Pablo Cardenas, March 1 at the Victoria Event Centre.
The tornado, which left three dead and 172 injured, hit the Cuban capital Jan. 29. The tragedy has exacerbated the poor living conditions in the affected areas.
Cardenas and a lineup of West Coast Cuban musicians will play at a benefit salsa concert to raise money and awareness.
Tickets are $17 online and $20 at the door. A salsa workshop takes place at 8 p.m., with live music beginning at 9:30 p.m. March 1 at the Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St. Tickets available at . For more information, go to Facebook and search for Pablo Cardenas and the West Coast Cuban All Stars Play for Cuba.
Gala supports major salmon initiative
Help a major salmon initiative move forward by attending the Pacific Salmon Foundation鈥檚 gala dinner and auction, March 9 at the Victoria Conference Centre.
Proceeds from the fundraising gala will fund salmon-enhancement projects.
Since 1991, the foundation鈥檚 Community Salmon Program has granted $2.7 million to 361 projects in the south Vancouver Island region. Thanks to matching in-kind and financial donations from the community, the total value of those projects was $18.9 million.
One of the beneficiaries is the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society, which raises chinook and coho fry at the Jack Brooks Hatchery to enhance local fisheries.
Unfortunately, climate change and other factors have resulted in a dwindling water supply for the hatchery, resulting in undue stress for the salmon and lower hatchery productivity.
A recent $95,000 grant by the foundation has allowed the hatchery to move about 12 kilometres down the road to the site of the Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre.
鈥淚t is the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the many donors who give year after year that make it possible for myself and the many other volunteers throughout the province to do good works,鈥� said Wally Voles, volunteer hatchery manager for the society. 鈥淲ithout these dollars, our most productive projects would not have happened.鈥�
Tickets are $125. The gala doors open at 5:30, with dinner served at 7 p.m., March 9 at the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St. Tickets can be purchased at Island Outfitters or online at psf.ca.
Elvis tribute will aid high school
Get ready to shake, rattle and roll at Ronnie Scott as Elvis and Friends, a concert to raise funds to furnish a new fine-arts wing and sports field at St. Andrews Regional High School.
Scott is a world-class Elvis tribute artist from Vancouver. He will be joined at the concert by tribute artists for Tom Jones and Rod Stewart and DJ Marilyn Monroe.
Tickets are $50. Doors open at 6:30, with the concert starting at 7 p.m. March 9 at St. Andrews Regional High School, 880 McKenzie Ave. Tickets at Lyle鈥檚 Place, any parish office or Vancouver Island Catholic school. For more information, call 250-479-1414.
Artistic windows light up James Bay
Tonight is the last night to view the James Bay Window Wanderland.
This is the second year of the event, put on by the James Bay Community Centre and James Bay New Horizons.
The event encourages area residents and businesses to make a display to brighten the spirit at this time of year.
People are encouraged to put up displays in the windows of their home, apartment, business, car or highrise. This inclusive event is meant to bring out the artist in everyone.
Spectators viewing the displays are encouraged to wear colourful clothing or add a reflective or light-enhancing device to make them more visible as they walk the streets of James Bay.
You can download a map of the homes and businesses registered at .
Fundraiser helps build school playground
Enjoy an evening out and help build a new school playground for Discovery School, Friday at Mo:Le Millstream Restaurant.
The school鈥檚 aging playground is unsafe, in disrepair and partially dismantled. Home Depot in Langford has given the school a grant of labour and materials, and the school is seeking further community support to complete the project.
A large array of auction items have been donated by local businesses and individuals. There are about 200 items in total, from services and gift cards, art work, restaurant and hotel gift packages, hotel stays and golf packages, family passes to recreation centres, grocery store and specialty shop coupons, tools, appliances, sports equipment and more.
鈥淎nyone in the public can come and get some great things at great prices,鈥� said Loa Peter, parent and auction chairperson. 鈥淲e鈥檙e inviting the community to bring their friends for a fun evening out.鈥�
Tickets are $15 and include appetizers and a drink. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. March 1 at Mo:Le Restaurant, 2345 Millstream Rd.
Tickets are available at Discovery School, 4052 Wilkinson Rd. and at Mo:Le on Millstream. For more information, call principal Sherri Ko at 250-595-7765.
