Charity and Donations

On an already frigid Feb. 22, Penny Tennenhouse, of team Avodah, dons her Coldest Night of the Year merch outside of her home in Fairfield. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Freezing temperatures won’t stop Greater Victoria residents from raising funds for shelter spaces

Coldest Night of the Year walkathon to blend individual, group participation

On an already frigid Feb. 22, Penny Tennenhouse, of team Avodah, dons her Coldest Night of the Year merch outside of her home in Fairfield. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Matt, Jody, Lucy and Lilly Gallant (alongside Izzy) have received help for Lucy’s disabilities from Variety BC. Lucy’s story will be shared as part of Variety’s annual telethon broadcast on Global TV. (Submitted Photo)

Quesnel kindergartener ‘poster-girl’ for Variety telethon

Lucy Gallant, along with her twin sister Lilly, have been filming commercials for the telethon

Matt, Jody, Lucy and Lilly Gallant (alongside Izzy) have received help for Lucy’s disabilities from Variety BC. Lucy’s story will be shared as part of Variety’s annual telethon broadcast on Global TV. (Submitted Photo)
Ford Preston, 13, is bringing humanitarianism to the world of sport by providing equipment to youth in need. He is pictured among a variety of sports equipment, stored at the Storage Room in Langford. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Langford teen’s sports equipment donation program going international

Ford Preston and family looking to help African charities help grow lacrosse in Uganda

Ford Preston, 13, is bringing humanitarianism to the world of sport by providing equipment to youth in need. He is pictured among a variety of sports equipment, stored at the Storage Room in Langford. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress is collecting warm clothes at its three Vancouver Island locations. (Courtesy Victoria Cool Aid Society)

Vancouver Island business seeking warm clothes for those in need

Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress collecting donations at stores in Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River

Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress is collecting warm clothes at its three Vancouver Island locations. (Courtesy Victoria Cool Aid Society)
Jasmine Philips, marketing manager of WIN Resale Shop, stands at the front till at the Pandora Avenue location. The shop’s charitable gift card program distributed over $49,000 in 2021. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Changing needs, styles at non-profit Victoria clothing stores a sign of the times

Managers at WIN and Wear2Start see evolution in clientele, donations through pandemic

Jasmine Philips, marketing manager of WIN Resale Shop, stands at the front till at the Pandora Avenue location. The shop’s charitable gift card program distributed over $49,000 in 2021. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
The Churchmouse Books Christmas sale raised $3,000. The second-hand book shop reopens to customers this month. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Book sale shelved for COVID-19 reopens in Oak Bay

Churchmouse Books returns to regular Saturday hours starting Feb. 5

The Churchmouse Books Christmas sale raised $3,000. The second-hand book shop reopens to customers this month. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Firefighter Aidan Wells is the new executive director for the Oak Bay Firefighters’ Charitable Foundation. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

New face leads firefighter fundraising in Oak Bay

Aidan Wells started as a teen volunteer with Metchosin Fire Department

Firefighter Aidan Wells is the new executive director for the Oak Bay Firefighters’ Charitable Foundation. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The 32nd annual Chip In for the Kids, raised more than $15,000 for Easter Seals programs and services, including Camp Shawnigan where children and adults with disabilities have enjoyed overnight camp experiences since 1979. (Courtesy Easter Seals)

Greater Victoria residents recycle more than 1,000 trees for children’s charity

Donations amass to $15,000 for Easter Seals BC and Yukon

The 32nd annual Chip In for the Kids, raised more than $15,000 for Easter Seals programs and services, including Camp Shawnigan where children and adults with disabilities have enjoyed overnight camp experiences since 1979. (Courtesy Easter Seals)
Victoria Humane Society celebrated what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday with a collage as people took part in the #BettyWhiteChallenge, donating cash to an animal charity. (Victoria Humane Society/Facebook)

Love for Betty White tallies to nearly $500,000 for animal welfare groups in B.C.

What would have been iconic actor’s 100th birthday sees $40,000 donated to Victoria Humane Society

Victoria Humane Society celebrated what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday with a collage as people took part in the #BettyWhiteChallenge, donating cash to an animal charity. (Victoria Humane Society/Facebook)
Oaklands Community Association pantry founder Karin Zylstra and daughter Yisa pause amidst the pantry offerings. The pay-what-you-can program has been growing in recent months as people learn more about its fresh offerings and welcoming environment. (Photo by Sandy Yong/courtesy OCA)

Pantry program growing goodness in Victoria’s Oaklands neighbourhood

Clients appreciate friendly nature of food program, learning about local producers

Oaklands Community Association pantry founder Karin Zylstra and daughter Yisa pause amidst the pantry offerings. The pay-what-you-can program has been growing in recent months as people learn more about its fresh offerings and welcoming environment. (Photo by Sandy Yong/courtesy OCA)
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island CEO Veronica Carroll (left) and annual giving manager Michele McKenzie (right) accept a food and gift card donation from Save-On-Foods store managers Ross Prendergast, George Clarke and Dave Alexander outside Jeneece Place. (Photo courtesy of Island Kids First)

Greater Victoria Save-On-Foods ‘fill the pantry’ for families at Jeneece Place

Store managers deliver $600 in groceries, $1,ooo in gift cards to family support home

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island CEO Veronica Carroll (left) and annual giving manager Michele McKenzie (right) accept a food and gift card donation from Save-On-Foods store managers Ross Prendergast, George Clarke and Dave Alexander outside Jeneece Place. (Photo courtesy of Island Kids First)
Corinna Wiebe, with daughter Sydney Stenberg, was overwhelmed when she saw the extent of renovations to their Aldergrove home. (LifeApp video image)

VIDEO: Aldergrove woman with cancer gets new home, thanks to local charity

Charity releases video to thank more than 200 volunteers, 80 companies and 130 donors

Corinna Wiebe, with daughter Sydney Stenberg, was overwhelmed when she saw the extent of renovations to their Aldergrove home. (LifeApp video image)
Catherine Border (left) and her children, Frances and Lucas Border, sort through non-perishable food items donated by residents of the surrounding Gonzales community for distribution by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Border)

Victoria siblings experience holiday generosity of neighbours during food drive

Donated non-perishables, cash delivered to St. Vincent de Paul in time for Christmas

Catherine Border (left) and her children, Frances and Lucas Border, sort through non-perishable food items donated by residents of the surrounding Gonzales community for distribution by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Border)
The Russow family took to creativity this holiday season to raise money for Thrifty’s holiday food bank fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Soren Russow)

Gratitude rocks painted by Victoria family raises money for Thrifty’s holiday food bank

Inspirational quotes encourage a message of love and gratitude in times of adversity

The Russow family took to creativity this holiday season to raise money for Thrifty’s holiday food bank fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Soren Russow)
Volunteers pack food items and holiday treats into bags for GT Church’s Christmas Hamper Outreach program on Dec. 14. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Victoria church fills 200 Christmas hampers for those in need

Volunteers hard at work filling packages with food items and more at GT Church on Dec. 14

Volunteers pack food items and holiday treats into bags for GT Church’s Christmas Hamper Outreach program on Dec. 14. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
The SOS Thrift Shop truck was reported stolen in Parksville on Dec. 16, 2021. (SOS Facebook photo)

Grinch alert: SOS Thrift Shop truck reported stolen in Parksville

Organization busy collecting donations to make Christmas brighter for PQB residents

The SOS Thrift Shop truck was reported stolen in Parksville on Dec. 16, 2021. (SOS Facebook photo)
The Victoria Cool Aid Society, in partnership with Langford-based King's Auto Sales, is giving away a free car to someone in need this holiday season. (King's Auto Sales/Facebook)

Nominate someone in need in Greater Victoria for a free car

Cool Aid, King’s Auto Sales partner up for annual car giveaway

The Victoria Cool Aid Society, in partnership with Langford-based King's Auto Sales, is giving away a free car to someone in need this holiday season. (King's Auto Sales/Facebook)
RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)

Vancouver Island woman crochets police dogs blankets for Christmas

Woman who loves to crochet creates blankets for all four of Nanaimo RCMP’s police service dogs

RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)
Real estate agent Darren Day has held three food bank fundraisers for the Goldstream Food Bank, including the latest earlier this month outside Quality Foods in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Realtor knows Langford community will support the Goldstream Food Bank

Darren Day hosts third food back fundraiser collecting food and cash for the cause

Real estate agent Darren Day has held three food bank fundraisers for the Goldstream Food Bank, including the latest earlier this month outside Quality Foods in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Real estate agent Chace Witson (centre), flanked by Peninsula Santa’s Helpers volunteers Patti Sanders (left) and Carey Salvador, encourages donations to the annual Saanich Peninsula Holiday Toy Drive. Donations can be made until Dec. 15. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Saanich Peninsula toy drive organizers make final request for public donations

Annual fundraiser’s local roots stressed, donation deadline Dec . 15

Real estate agent Chace Witson (centre), flanked by Peninsula Santa’s Helpers volunteers Patti Sanders (left) and Carey Salvador, encourages donations to the annual Saanich Peninsula Holiday Toy Drive. Donations can be made until Dec. 15. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)