Charity and Donations

Tem McCutcheon, left, Stuart Biggs, Meika Johnson, and Genevieve Burdett accept a donation of $3,150 from Island Queers and Allies Who Care on behalf of Lake Park Society’s Camp Kin program in Cumberland. (Submitted photo)

Volunteer group seeks applicants and donors for Vancouver Island LGBTQ causes

Island Queers and Allies Who Care have donated more than $10,000 in their first year

 

Christopher Anderson gets ready for a training session ahead of his cross-Canada rollerblading journey which starts May 1. (Duck Paterson photo)

Vancouver Island man planning to rollerblade across Canada for mental health

Christopher Anderson leaving on May 1, the start of Mental Health Awareness Month

  • Apr 26, 2023

 

P. L. and Kristen Meindertsma of Abbotsford have started the Cycle 5 to Survive initiative. They plan to cycle five continents over five years while raising $500,000 each for five charities. (Instagram photo)

Abbotsford couple plan to cycle 5 continents in 5 years to raise $2.5M for 5 charities

P. L. and Kristen Meindertsma start with 4,300 km trip along Continental Divide

P. L. and Kristen Meindertsma of Abbotsford have started the Cycle 5 to Survive initiative. They plan to cycle five continents over five years while raising $500,000 each for five charities. (Instagram photo)
BC Cancer Foundation - Tour De Cure

Pedal for Hope: Tour De Cure rallies cyclists to transform cancer care

2,000 riders, volunteers prepare for 200-km summer fundraising ride from Cloverdale to Hope

  • Mar 20, 2023
BC Cancer Foundation - Tour De Cure
Markus Batraki, a formerly incarcerated student, is one of many students who have had their lives transformed by an ‘inside-out’ program. (Vancouver Island University photo)

$1 million donation will allow Island university to expand prison education program

Donation will allow ‘inside-out program’ to expand educational opportunities across B.C.

Markus Batraki, a formerly incarcerated student, is one of many students who have had their lives transformed by an ‘inside-out’ program. (Vancouver Island University photo)
Christian Nielsan was diagnosed with  a faulty aortic heart valve at 38 during a routine check up.

An oh-so-easy challenge built for Heart Month: Listen to Your Heart

February is about more than flowers + chocolates – a routine check up could save your life

  • Feb 6, 2023
Christian Nielsan was diagnosed with  a faulty aortic heart valve at 38 during a routine check up.
Performer Blake Elliott presented a cheque for $10,000 from the ‘mister Blake foundation’ to Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry’s Bill Keyes in Abbotsford on Jan. 19. The ministry provides showers in a mobile unit to the unhoused, in partnership with other service providers in Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Mobile shower ministry gets big boost to continue work in Fraser Valley

Abbotsford-based group has provided 2,600 showers to people in need since 2019

Performer Blake Elliott presented a cheque for $10,000 from the ‘mister Blake foundation’ to Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry’s Bill Keyes in Abbotsford on Jan. 19. The ministry provides showers in a mobile unit to the unhoused, in partnership with other service providers in Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.

Stand up against dementia stigma this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Jana Schulz of Cranbrook, B.C. – a registered social worker, working as…

  • Jan 9, 2023
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.
10-year-old Ivy Costello and YANA executive director Kelly Barnie show off Ivy’s new diamond ring. Photo supplied

10-year-old all smiles after $5,600 diamond ring pops out of her Christmas cracker

Visitor from New Zealand wins grand prize in annual Comox Valley fundraiser

10-year-old Ivy Costello and YANA executive director Kelly Barnie show off Ivy’s new diamond ring. Photo supplied
A fire investigator from Port Alberni Fire Department examines the aftermath of a Boxing Day fire at a home on Haslam Lane, Dec. 27, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Four people escape Boxing Day house fire in Port Alberni

Son starts fundraiser for mother, who lost everything in early-morning blaze

A fire investigator from Port Alberni Fire Department examines the aftermath of a Boxing Day fire at a home on Haslam Lane, Dec. 27, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The SOS Toy Shop welcomes parents, caregivers, grandparents and great-grandparents who need help getting gifts for their young family members. The gifts are donated by the community. (Submitted photo)

Island woman deals with challenges of facing Christmas at age 86 with one income

Access to SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program provides relief

The SOS Toy Shop welcomes parents, caregivers, grandparents and great-grandparents who need help getting gifts for their young family members. The gifts are donated by the community. (Submitted photo)
Christina Godbolt receives a $1,000 cheque from Chemainus Legion 191 president Mike Beggs for the Little Town Christmas event. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Delighted community groups receive funds from Legion

Monetary gifts timely before Christmas

Christina Godbolt receives a $1,000 cheque from Chemainus Legion 191 president Mike Beggs for the Little Town Christmas event. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Briana Greer (left) in Terrace with her mother, Sheila Myshrall, who urgently needs a kidney transplant. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)
Anyone wishing to donate would need to call Vancouver General Hospital and mention Sheila Myshrall’s name. (Black Press Media file photo)

Daughter hopes for ‘Christmas miracle’ as B.C. mom’s kidney fails

Briana Greer hopes to save mom on B.C. kidney waiting list

Briana Greer (left) in Terrace with her mother, Sheila Myshrall, who urgently needs a kidney transplant. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)
Anyone wishing to donate would need to call Vancouver General Hospital and mention Sheila Myshrall’s name. (Black Press Media file photo)
Indie, a two-year-old border collie-Australian shepherd cross from Nanaimo, is being featured with 14 other pets from across Canada in Bosley’s by Pet Valu’s 2023 calendar, which raises money to help homeless pets. (Brittni Panter photo)

Vancouver Island dog is ‘Miss August’ in national fundraiser calendar

Bosley’s by Pet Valu chooses photograph of Indie taken in Nanaimo

  • Dec 12, 2022
Indie, a two-year-old border collie-Australian shepherd cross from Nanaimo, is being featured with 14 other pets from across Canada in Bosley’s by Pet Valu’s 2023 calendar, which raises money to help homeless pets. (Brittni Panter photo)
14 members of Whonnock Roofing and Gutters shovelled walks on Nov. 30 for donations to the family of Savanna Gervais. (Clay Gagnon/Special to The News)

B.C. company shovels driveways to collect donations for 4-year-old cancer victim

Whonnock Roofing collected more than $6,000 for family of Savanna Gervais

14 members of Whonnock Roofing and Gutters shovelled walks on Nov. 30 for donations to the family of Savanna Gervais. (Clay Gagnon/Special to The News)
Volunteers from the Oceanview Community Church hand out cookies to students and staff in the  Ladysmith Secondary School foyer. (Photo submitted)

Island churchgoers given hundreds of pounds of flour, decide to bake 1,300 cookies

Ladysmith’s Oceanview Community Church comes up with ‘Milk and Cookie Day’ idea for students

  • Nov 30, 2022
Volunteers from the Oceanview Community Church hand out cookies to students and staff in the  Ladysmith Secondary School foyer. (Photo submitted)
Lindsey and Grayson Drakeley attend the launch of Help Fill A Dream and Country Grocer’s 2022 holiday campaign at Eurosa Farms in Central Saanich. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Help Fill A Dream, Country Grocer launch 2022 holiday campaign for Island families

Help Fill A Dream has helped over 3,400 Vancouver Island and Gulf Island families since 1986

Lindsey and Grayson Drakeley attend the launch of Help Fill A Dream and Country Grocer’s 2022 holiday campaign at Eurosa Farms in Central Saanich. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
(Black Press Media Creative)

MacKenzie Scott donates $84.5 million to Girl Scouts

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $84.5 million to Girl Scouts of the USA…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Amie Armet, a volunteer with Mamas for Mamas, hopes to have a super selection of costumes for kids this Halloween. A costume donation drive has been organized with drop-off bins at Vancouver Island Regional Library branches. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

‘Mamas for Mamas’ non-profit collecting Halloween costumes for Island children in need

Donations currently being accepted at all of VIRL’s library branches in Nanaimo

Amie Armet, a volunteer with Mamas for Mamas, hopes to have a super selection of costumes for kids this Halloween. A costume donation drive has been organized with drop-off bins at Vancouver Island Regional Library branches. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)