A local amputee publicly thanks the War Amps for all its support as the association鈥檚 year-long celebration to mark its 100th anniversary draws to a close.
The association came into being to assist war amputee veterans returning from the First World War. Over the years, it expanded its programs and now support all amputees, including Sophie Wood, 15, of Victoria.
Wood was born with a partial right hand and partial left foot.
Through the War Amps Child Amputee Program, she received financial assistance for artificial limbs and recreational devices. She also attended seminars where she learned about the latest in artificial limbs, as well as dealing with teasing and bullying.
鈥淭he War Amps has been there for my family and I since I was a baby,鈥� said Sophie. 鈥淭heir continued encouragement and support play an important role in building my self-confidence. Happy 100th anniversary and thank you for all that you do.鈥�
The War Amps receives no government grants, and its programs are possible through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service.
鈥淎lthough the War Amps has provided 100 years of innovative programs, there is still much to do to ensure amputees like Sophie have the artificial limbs they need to lead full and active lives,鈥� said Danita Chisholm, executive director of the CHAMP program. 鈥淲ith the public鈥檚 support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service, our vital programs for amputees will carry on long into the future.鈥�
For more information, go to .
Still time to see gingerbread houses
There is still time left to see the winning gingerbread houses at Habitat for Humanity鈥檚 Gingerbread Showcase at the Parkside Hotel and Spa.
The event is the biggest fundraiser for the charity, which helps families build affordable accommodation. Last year, the whimsical display of gingerbread houses raised more than $51,000.
Winners of special awards include: Home in the Garden, by Jude Somers, who won first place in the amateur division; There鈥檚 No Place like Victoria won Best First Impression; Dorothy鈥檚 Place won for Best Interpretation of Theme; A West Coast Island Christmas took the Most Creative and Original award; and The Burrow went home with the Best Use of Skill and Technique award.
Seeing the whole gingerbread village is free. You are encouraged to donate to vote for your favourite.
The display is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until Jan. 6, 2019 at the Parkside Hotel and Spa, 810 Humboldt St. For more information, go to .
Free bus trips donated, thanks to foundation
Those grappling with the cost of public transit got an early Christmas present with the announcement of more than 17,000 free bus trips to people struggling to make ends meet, thanks to a Victoria Foundation grant.
The foundation pledged nearly $23,000 to support agencies around Greater Victoria.
鈥淭he Victoria Foundation is very happy to be able to grant these funds, especially at this time of year when many people are more financially strapped than usual,鈥� said Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO. 鈥淥ur annual Victoria鈥檚 Vital Signs report highlights the importance of accessible transportation for all people to satisfy basic necessities and fully participate in society. The evidence shows an ongoing need to support vulnerable, low-income populations in our community so that they can get to and from work, as well as access services such as health care, food banks and other programs. The bus-ticket program that this grant will go toward is an efficient and effective way of doing just that.鈥�
Since 1997, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission 鈥� through sa国际传媒 Transit 鈥� has provided bus tickets and passes to the Community Social Planning Council. Agencies purchase tickets and passes through the council, which are matched on a 1-for-1 basis with free tickets from the Transit Commission.
Last year, 65 agencies purchased more than 110,000 bus tickets.
The grant will provide 17,000 tickets free of charge to agencies struggling to afford the cost of the 1-for-1 program. Funds will also be used to help offset a portion of the operating costs of the program.
鈥淭he council is grateful to the Victoria Foundation and its donors for helping to expand this invaluable program,鈥� said Heather Gardner, chief executive director of the Community Social Planning Council. 鈥淲e hear from many people that the cost of living is becoming more and more unbearable each day. Costs are rising well beyond wage increases. This program really makes a huge difference for so many people, and especially for families who have multiple activities each day.鈥�
For more information, go to .
Project aims to lower employment barriers
A new government pilot project has just been launched to address barriers to success for women in visible-minority groups in sa国际传媒鈥檚 job market.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship sa国际传媒 will provide funding of up to $5 million to 10 service-provider organizations across sa国际传媒 over the next three years to increase employment supports and services for newcomer women.
鈥淓mployment is key to the successful integration of newcomers,鈥� said the Ahmed Hussen, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship.
鈥淗aving a job isn鈥檛 just about making an economic contribution to sa国际传媒, it鈥檚 also about providing a sense of dignity and belonging. Visible-minority newcomer women can face multiple barriers to employment, including discrimination and lack of affordable childcare.鈥�
The funding ensures newcomers have the support and services they need to make the most of their talents and experience to fully integrate and contribute to the Canadian economy and to their communities.
The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria will receive an additional $310,000 to increase services for this group of clients.
It currently provides group-orientation workshops for newcomer women. It also offers a variety of educational workshops and training seminars related to multiculturalism, diversity awareness, immigration, and human rights in the workplace and community.
For more information, go to or .
Hundreds stuff bus with food and toys
Victorians showed their generosity once again as sa国际传媒 Transit collected almost 1,800 kilograms of food and more than $1,330 during its Stuff the Bus 2018 campaign.
This was the 17th year of the event, which took place Dec. 15 at Save-on-Foods at Tillicum Centre. This year, the transit agency brought a double-decker for people to stuff.
People responded with non-perishable food items, toys and clothing to make the Christmas season merrier and brighter for others.
Food collected was donated to the Mustard Seed Food Bank and all the new, unwrapped toys and clothing went go to the Salvation Army鈥檚 Stan Hagen Centre for Families.
For more information, go to .
Winter drive gathers clothing
A successful clothing collection drive by an aid group means some of Victoria鈥檚 vulnerable will be a lot warmer in the weeks ahead.
The Youth at Risk winter drive was organized by the Victoria chapter of Khalsa Aid sa国际传媒. The organization is based upon the Sikh principle of recognizing the whole human race as one.
Local Sikh gurdwaras (places of worship) collected winter clothing and other items with a focus on youth at risk in Victoria. The collected items will be distributed among Threshold Housing, Out of the Rain Shelter, the Alliance Club and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre over the coming two weeks.
鈥淭his service, with compassion, is our humble effort to bring positive change among youth at risk where it鈥檚 needed most in our city,鈥� said Gurinder Singh, youth co-ordinator with Khalsa Aid sa国际传媒鈥檚 Victoria chapter.
December is a reflective month for Sikhs, as it marks the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru, as well as the 10th Sikh Guru鈥檚 four sons along with their grandmother. The younger two sons suffered in a freezing cold tower along with their grandmother before their martyrdom.
The society鈥檚 monthly meals for vulnerable members of the community also continue, with a curry dinner at Our Place, 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 24. For more information, go to .
Victorian marks 150th blood donation
For 43 years, Victoria resident Dean Crawford has been helping others by donating blood. Last Tuesday, his two adult children joined him to mark the occasion of his 150th donation.
Crawford started donating blood at age 17 as a way to give back to others in response to community support he received through his athletic career.
His children have accompanied him to donor centres since before they could walk. Nicole and Dillon, his two children, are also active blood donors.
The family hopes sharing their story inspires others to give back by donating blood this holiday season. Donors such as the Crawfords play an important role in inspiring more Canadians to become part of sa国际传媒鈥檚 lifeline.
Currently, there are more than 800 open donor appointments on Vancouver Island to be filled by Jan. 6.
In order to book an appointment today, locate a donor centre, check your eligibility and more, you can download the GiveBlood app available for iOS and Android. For more information, go to .
Make your voice heard on budget
The City of Victoria and the City of Victoria Youth Council are seeking 12 volunteers to serve on the participatory budgeting steering committee for 2019.
The focus for 2019 will be youth, followed by newcomers in 2020 and neighbourhood spaces in 2021.
The committee鈥檚 focus will be on allocating up to $60,000 in funding for projects or events that benefit youth in the city.
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled that this year we鈥檙e turning our attention, energy and resources to youth. We look forward to learning from the process they develop and the projects the community chooses to fund,鈥� said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.
Last year, 28 proposals were submitted, with eight ideas going out for community voting. More than 4,300 residents cast their votes, and three projects were funded.
All Victoria residents, including youth, are invited to apply for a one-year term on the steering committee.
Interested residents can email Tara Skobel at聽[email protected]聽with any questions.
An information session will take place 4:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Quadra Village Community Centre, 901 Kings R. Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Jan. 11. Application forms can be found at .
Rose Arsenault honoured by chamber
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has named Rose Arsenault as Chamber Member of the Year for 2019.
The award recognizes an individual who has served as a volunteer at the chamber, has taken an active role with the board or committees, fosters relationships with the community and advocates on behalf of business.
Arsenault has been an active member since 2007. She has served as a board and committee member 鈥� most recently, as an ambassador providing outreach and assistance to new members.
鈥淩ose Arsenault has been a steadfast and dedicated board director and volunteer at the chamber. She is always ready to help our staff and provide guidance for our new members,鈥� says Dan Dagg, chair of the chamber鈥檚 board of directors.
鈥淗er time and effort lending a hand is immeasurable, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to recognize her contribution through the award of Chamber Member of the Year.鈥�
The 2019 Business Awards Gala will be held May 16, at the Fairmont Empress.
For more information, go to .
