Volunteers are needed to help pick fruit to help the community as the LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project celebrates 20听years of rescuing backyard bounty.
Southern Vancouver Island was once a renowned fruit-growing region 鈥� and remains one of the best places to grow a wide variety of fruit trees in sa国际传媒.
Last year, LifeCycles picked more than 27,000 kilograms of fruit from more than 600 trees in 325 yards.
鈥淲e see the region as an urban orchard still capable of nourishing diverse communities,鈥� said Tim Fryatt, program manager for LifeCycles.
鈥淲orking together, we can care for 鈥� and benefit from 鈥� the abundance of this place.鈥�
Fruit harvested by volunteers is distributed four ways: To the owner of the property, to the pickers, to emergency/community food services, with the remainder turned into value-added products that are sold to help generate revenue for the project.
This year, fruit is ripening at least a month later than it did last year. The group is expecting lower yields this year, a consequence of a remarkable fruit-growing season in 2016.
鈥淗eavy fruit years can draw a lot of energy from a tree,鈥� he said. 鈥淭rees will put more energy into leaf production [for photosynthesis] in the following year. We鈥檙e also concerned about declining pollinator populations.鈥�
The society is planning a concerted effort to better care for the urban orchard, with plans to launch a fruit-tree pruning business in early 2018.
The group also stewards a large public-education orchard at View Royal鈥檚 Welland Legacy Park and provides educational programs in schools and community settings across the region.
People interested in supporting the project can sign up online. Homeowners can also pick and deliver their own fruit to the office during operating hours, Monday to Thursday, at A-808 Viewfield Rd.
For more information, go to lifecyclesproject.ca.
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Pacific Coastal golf tourney raises $65,000
The Source Club in Powell River is one of three sa国际传媒 charities to receive funds from this year鈥檚 Pacific Coastal Airlines Memorial Charity Golf Tournament.
This was the 25th year of the annual golf tournament, held this year at Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club in Richmond. It raised a total of $65,000, after expenses.
鈥淭his annual charity golf tournament is a labour of love,鈥� said Kevin Boothroyd, the airlines鈥� director of business development. 鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 do this without the dedication of our employees, and the support of the many suppliers and customers from across the province who show up every year to help us raise funds for these important sa国际传媒-based charities.鈥�
The Source Club provides support and helps adults with mental illness re-integrate into society and find meaningful work.
Other charities funded this year include the Native Education College in Vancouver and the Ktunaxa Nation鈥檚 Scotty鈥檚 House and the Street Angels Program in Cranbrook.
In addition to these charities, $10,000 was donated to the British Columbia Economic Development Association Economic Disaster Recovery Program to help with its support of local businesses affected by the wildfires. That included $5,000 from proceeds of the golf tournament and a $5,000听matching contribution from Pacific Coastal Airlines.
Pacific Coastal Airlines is a privately owned regional airline operating from Vancouver International Airport鈥檚 South Terminal. It is the sixth-largest airline operating at the airport, based on outbound seats, and third largest in takeoffs and landings. For more information, go to pacificcoastal.com.
Dunahee slo-pitch tourney goes next weekend
This year鈥檚 Michael Dunahee Slo-Pitch Tournament of Hope has 28 union-sponsored teams poised to hit home runs for Child Find sa国际传媒, Aug. 12 and 13 at Topaz Park.
The family-friendly event keeps the hope alive in the search for Michael Dunahee, who was four years old when he disappeared 26 years ago. His disappearance sparked one of the largest missing-persons searches in Canadian history.
Proceeds from the tournament go to Child Find sa国际传媒, a charitable, non-profit organization that delivers services to families whose children go missing.
鈥淭his is the biggest fundraiser of the summer for Child Find sa国际传媒,鈥� said Crystal Dunahee, sa国际传媒听president. 鈥淭he money raised through this Tournament of Hope (more than $14,000 last year) goes toward printing costs for Child Find sa国际传媒 safety literature and the equipment and materials necessary to support the All About Me ID Kit program.鈥�
According to the RCMP, more than 45,600 cases of missing children were reported in sa国际传媒 in 2016, with 7,620 reported cases in sa国际传媒
The organization works with families and law enforcement to reduce the incidence of missing and exploited children.
At the tournament, there will be free care provided for the children of players, with licensed child-care professionals on site from CUPE 2081 (Camosun College).
Children can take part in their own slo-pitch game and watch skydivers descend on the final game ball and pick the grand prizes.
The children鈥檚 game is at 1听p.m., with the skydivers dropping in about 4 p.m. Sunday at Topaz Park. For more information, go to childfindbc.com.
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Local programs earn conservation grants
Two programs, one for Victoria and another in Sidney, were recipients of the World Wildlife Fund鈥檚 Go Wild Community Grant, awarded for finding solutions to conservation challenges affecting the community and nature.
The grants, with a value of up to $7,000, help thousands of Canadians connect more deeply with nature and benefit wildlife. The two local programs were part of a dozen across sa国际传媒.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to recognize the role that nature plays in sustaining us, and commit to doing our part to ensure it thrives,鈥� said Sarah Winterton, director of nature-connected communities for the organization. 鈥淲orld Wildlife Fund sa国际传媒 is proud to support these 12 Go Wild Community Grants for their efforts to safeguard our natural riches and ecosystems across sa国际传媒 鈥� and for helping thousands of Canadians connect more deeply with nature. When nature thrives, so do communities.
The grant program is presented by Telus. The projects will be implemented this summer and run until November.
The Rainforest Conservation Foundation project in Sidney will connect First Nation and at-risk youth with the unique wildlife and ecosystems of the Salish Sea. They will learn about rainforests, inter-tidal zones, salmon streams and killer-whale habitat on board a 68-foot vessel serving as a floating classroom.
Green Teams of sa国际传媒, the Victoria-based project, will connect youth to nature and each other by restoring habitat. In addition to caring for green spaces, the project aims to improve mental well-being and self-esteem.
For a more information, go to wwf.ca/gowild.
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Two young rangers honoured for leadership
Two Vancouver Island participants in the Junior Canadian Ranger program were among five chosen to receive Lord Strathcona Medals for their outstanding leadership in the program.
The medal recipients were employed as Junior Canadian Ranger Mentors during the sa国际传媒 150 Basic Enhanced Training Session held in July at Seal Bay in Comox.
The two recipients are:
鈥� Junior Canadian Ranger Elizabeth Moi of the Tahsis Junior Canadian Ranger Patrol;
鈥� Junior Canadian Ranger James Pohl of the Port Hardy Junior Canadian Ranger Patrol.
鈥淭hese Junior Canadian Ranger Mentors, as with all Junior Canadian Rangers, are truly the future leaders and role models in their communities,鈥� said Lt.-Col. Russ Meades, commanding officer of 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. 鈥淲e are very fortunate to have such high-quality young people dedicated to serving others and helping train their Junior Canadian Ranger friends. I am pleased to see the example that they have set for future Junior Canadian Rangers to emulate.鈥�
The Lord Strathcona Medal (also known as the Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal) is the highest award that a Junior Canadian Ranger or a cadet can achieve in recognition of exemplary performance.
This is the first year that junior rangers from 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group have received the award. The Basic Enhanced Training Session is an annual week-long summer training event to learn basic wilderness skills, life skills and cultural skills.
To join the Junior Canadian Rangers, a youth must be between the ages of 12 and 18.
For more information, go to jcr-rjc.ca.
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Obstacle challenge opens听to girls this year
Responding to shifting demographics and community interest, the Woman2Warrior obstacle challenge has reduced its age requirement for girls to 13 years old and added a second charity to its program. The event takes place Aug.听27 at West Shore Parks and Recreation.
Since 2013, the women-only event has raised nearly $700,000 for programs in support of children with disabilities at Easter Seals sa国际传媒/Yukon.
This year, in an effort to increase community impact, the charity will open its doors to the next generation of women 鈥� and enable participants to raise funds for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, as well.
鈥淲oman2Warrior will now bring together grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, friends, coworkers 鈥� of all ages, fitness levels, shapes and sizes 鈥� to challenge themselves and make a difference in our communities,鈥� said Shannon Bernays, senior associate, philanthropy, at Easter Seals sa国际传媒/Yukon. 鈥淭his year, we are able to expand our reach, allow girls to participate and partner with Victoria Hospitals Foundation 鈥� all in an effort to make a bigger difference in our communities.鈥�
Featuring a five-kilometre obstacle adventure challenge, the event empowers and encourages girls and women to step outside their comfort zone, try something new and have fun.
Participants can fundraise or simply participate without fundraising.
Proceeds from the event will support children with disabilities at Easter Seals sa国际传媒/Yukon, or go toward priority medical equipment and special projects at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals.
Registration for Woman2Warrior is open at woman2warrior.ca.
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Give your blood this听weekend
Canadian Blood Services has issued a call for donors in Victoria for the long weekend, as it seeks to fill available donation times.
Summer is historically a challenging time of year for the blood system. Travel, holidays, family activities and changes in routines mean fewer donations during the summer months.
Given its short shelf life, the need for blood is constant.
Donors are needed to answer the call for blood, especially before, during and after long weekends.
The Victoria clinic is at 3449听Saanich Rd. To book an appointment or for more information, go to blood.ca.
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Islanders pitch in to听help听fire victims
Citizens of Vancouver Island have collectively donated enough supplies to fill six 20-foot containers for fire victims in the past three weeks, according to Disaster Aid sa国际传媒.
The aid agency has shipped three of the containers to Prince George and three to Kamloops.
The supplies sent were from a list that was given by the United Way and the Kamloops Foodbank, with the help of the Rotary Club of Kamloops.
The next 20-foot container is destined for Williams Lake and firefighters working in the Interior.
People can help by:
Volunteering at the Disaster Aid sa国际传媒 warehouse to pack hygiene products, clothing for firefighters and blankets, sheets and towels. The warehouse will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9, 426 William St.
Making a donation to the British Columbia Wildfire Campaign (canadahelps.org and search for Disaster Aid sa国际传媒).
For more information, and a current list of supplies needed at the Disaster Aid sa国际传媒 Facebook page.
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Wash your car or your dog for a good cause
Owners of the Victoria franchise of the Nurse Next Door Home Care Services are holding a car- and doggie-wash fundraiser for families and communities affected by the sa国际传媒 wildfires, Aug. 9 at Westshore Mall.
The company has invited its staff, the mayor of Langford and firefighters to come out to support them as they raise funds for the Canadian Red Cross relief fund.
The event runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Canadian Tire parking lot at Westshore Mall.
For more information, contact Stephanie Lumley at 250-590-6141.
