charity

File - A standard War Amps key tag (The War Amps)

75 years of returning lost keys, War Amps celebrate program

Started in 1946, the key tags have provided Canadians with piece of mind if they lose their keys

File - A standard War Amps key tag (The War Amps)
Bending lengths of chicken wire into arches, Philip Smith constructs trellises for beans to run their way up. Drawn to the work and the cause, Smith has been volunteering at the farm three days a week since March. 
“It’s fun because there’s different stuff all the time and it’s outside and I’ve got a wonderful boss – don't tell him I said that," he says with a cheeky smile. “It may not be for everybody but I enjoy it.” (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Farm to food bank: Volunteers ensure free, fresh produce for Greater Victorians in need

Fruits, vegetables delivered directly from Gatton House Farm to free food markets

Bending lengths of chicken wire into arches, Philip Smith constructs trellises for beans to run their way up. Drawn to the work and the cause, Smith has been volunteering at the farm three days a week since March. 
“It’s fun because there’s different stuff all the time and it’s outside and I’ve got a wonderful boss – don't tell him I said that," he says with a cheeky smile. “It may not be for everybody but I enjoy it.” (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Jerry Hughes at the finish line of one of his previous running fundraisers for children in need. (Photo courtesy of Help Fill a Dream)

Runner tackling 35-hour challenge at Saanich’s Mt. Work for Help Fill a Dream

Jerry Hughes hopes to raise $35,000 for organization, celebrating its 35th year

Jerry Hughes at the finish line of one of his previous running fundraisers for children in need. (Photo courtesy of Help Fill a Dream)
A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Cool cars provide some automotive magic for B.C. teen

Driven Project brought fleet of supercars to quiet street

A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes selfies with community members at the Hamilton Mountain Mosque after speaking to the congregation to recognize Eid al-Adha in Hamilton, Ont., Tuesday, July 20, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Feds looking into Muslim charities’ concerns: PM

Almost 100 Muslim organizations and civil society groups wrote to Trudeau this week

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes selfies with community members at the Hamilton Mountain Mosque after speaking to the congregation to recognize Eid al-Adha in Hamilton, Ont., Tuesday, July 20, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Giving begets giving, the Poplis insist as they deliver free groceries around Greater Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Giving begets giving: Saanich family devotes time, money to helping those in need

The Poplis devote at least 10 per cent of their income to Fateh Care

Giving begets giving, the Poplis insist as they deliver free groceries around Greater Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Baylea Wilkins and 50 friends will do 500 to 1,000 squats each during an Aug. 1 event in Oak Bay, to raise funds for KidSport Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Baylea Wilkins)

Victoria fitness coach targets $100,000 for KidSport with burpee challenge

Group will raise funds doing 500 to 1,000 burpees each during Aug. 1 event in Oak Bay

Baylea Wilkins and 50 friends will do 500 to 1,000 squats each during an Aug. 1 event in Oak Bay, to raise funds for KidSport Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Baylea Wilkins)
A peek inside the Victoria 2021 Dream Lottery prize home. It’s a 1,451 square-foot, three-level, two bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhome with an 888 sq. ft. rooftop terrace and a private garage. (Courtesy BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)

PHOTOS: A look inside the Victoria prize in the Dream Lottery for BC Children’s Hospital

Tesla vehicle included in 1,451 square-foot, three-level, two bedroom James Bay townhome prize

A peek inside the Victoria 2021 Dream Lottery prize home. It’s a 1,451 square-foot, three-level, two bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhome with an 888 sq. ft. rooftop terrace and a private garage. (Courtesy BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)
The annual Victoria HarbourCats sock toss for Anawim House goes Thursday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria HarbourCats host annual sock toss for Anawim House

Cash, socks colleced July 15 for North Park non-profit

The annual Victoria HarbourCats sock toss for Anawim House goes Thursday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
Participants in the annual Raymond James Father’s Day Walk and Run for Prostate Cancer pose for a photo in 2020. This year’s fundraiser is being held virtually given continued public health restrictions on gatherings. (Courtesy of Island Prostate Centre)

Island Prostate Centre working hard to continue cancer support services

COVID-19’s effect on business has trickle-down effect on non-profit, executive director says

Participants in the annual Raymond James Father’s Day Walk and Run for Prostate Cancer pose for a photo in 2020. This year’s fundraiser is being held virtually given continued public health restrictions on gatherings. (Courtesy of Island Prostate Centre)
Khalsa Aid society gave out pizzas to 160 people and gave out 130 care packages on April 12, with the help of 12 volunteers. (Submitted/Jatinder Singh)

Greater Victoria Sikhs observe Vaisakhi virtually, but find a way to give out food

Food and taking care of those in need is a big part of Sikh teachings

Khalsa Aid society gave out pizzas to 160 people and gave out 130 care packages on April 12, with the help of 12 volunteers. (Submitted/Jatinder Singh)
The Sooke Transition House Society operates Annie’s Place, a 24-hour emergency crisis facility for women and their children who are leaving situations of intimate partner violence, community violence and domestic violence. (Pixabay)

Women and children fleeing violence find safety at Annie’s Place

Sooke Transition House Society providing a home built on hope

The Sooke Transition House Society operates Annie’s Place, a 24-hour emergency crisis facility for women and their children who are leaving situations of intimate partner violence, community violence and domestic violence. (Pixabay)
Nanaimo Foundation is taking the lead in stretching Random Acts of Kindness Day, Feb. 17, into a whole week, Feb. 14-20. (Stock photo)

Editorial: Random acts of kindness appreciated these days

Nanaimo Foundation leading the effort for Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 14-20

Nanaimo Foundation is taking the lead in stretching Random Acts of Kindness Day, Feb. 17, into a whole week, Feb. 14-20. (Stock photo)
Jason Austin donates 20 tonnes of produce from his Gatton House Farm to local food banks every year. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Philanthropic Island farmer donates all his farm’s produce to food banks

Central Saanich’s Jason Austin plants seeds for food security

Jason Austin donates 20 tonnes of produce from his Gatton House Farm to local food banks every year. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
The Gettin’ Higher Choir will be performing alongside Wavelengths Community Choir and special guests during an online concert Jan. 30. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Gettin’ Higher Choir will be performing alongside Wavelengths Community Choir and special guests during an online concert Jan. 30. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Neighbourhood Market at Saanich Baptist Church is one of 10 that provide fresh produce to people in need across Greater Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Daily free food markets offer fresh produce to Greater Victorians in need

Ten Neighbourhood Markets operate across the region

The Neighbourhood Market at Saanich Baptist Church is one of 10 that provide fresh produce to people in need across Greater Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Parksville’s Christiana Conway, left, husband Chris Conway, right, and friend Elizabeth Doell write letters designed to bring Christmas cheer to senior residents at area care homes. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island woman helps create special messages of Christmas cheer for seniors

Hand-written letters designed to help lonely residents during holiday season

Parksville’s Christiana Conway, left, husband Chris Conway, right, and friend Elizabeth Doell write letters designed to bring Christmas cheer to senior residents at area care homes. (Submitted photo)
(pixabay)

Bad pipes, no money? Island company there to patch that leak

Saanich’s Rather Be Plumbing offering free service for those really in need ahead of Christmas

(pixabay)
Pat’s two children cuddle their cat Jasmine while wearing onesies receieved in their latest parcel from Leisa Hirvonen. (Special to The News)

Online ad brings together families from Comox Valley and Maple Ridge

Leisa Hirvonen and Shelley Scullah team up to help retiree who recently adopted his newborn grandson

Pat’s two children cuddle their cat Jasmine while wearing onesies receieved in their latest parcel from Leisa Hirvonen. (Special to The News)
Dwight Ballantyne started #WeSeeYou day to draw more attention to the plight of remote indigenous communities. (Special to The News)

B.C. man aims to bridge gap between remote communities and rest of Canada

Schools across country to send activity kits to isolated towns for Dwight Ballantyne’s #WeSeeYou Day

Dwight Ballantyne started #WeSeeYou day to draw more attention to the plight of remote indigenous communities. (Special to The News)