Charity and Donations

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

 

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

 

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

 

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)
CBT invites West Coasters to Give Local through online Giving Catalogue.

CBT relaunches Giving Catalogue

Donors are invited to give to the charity of their choice at this ‘one-stop-shop’ virtual hub

  • Dec 17, 2022
CBT invites West Coasters to Give Local through online Giving Catalogue.
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)
Amy Worth with the Nanaimo Youth Services Association demonstrates how participants will sleep during the organization’s ‘Roughing It’ event at Harewood Centennial Park on Sept. 23. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Vancouver Island event challenges people to ‘Rough It’ for youth homelessness

‘Roughing It’ outdoor overnight event to be held at Harewood Centennial Park Sept. 23-24

Amy Worth with the Nanaimo Youth Services Association demonstrates how participants will sleep during the organization’s ‘Roughing It’ event at Harewood Centennial Park on Sept. 23. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Ken Barkman at Save-On-Foods in Garrison Crossing on June 5, 2022. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

78-year-old Ken Barkman of Chilliwack riding 3,000 kilometres for BC Children’s Hospital

Grandfather helping son and wife, who have adopted four high-risk babies

Ken Barkman at Save-On-Foods in Garrison Crossing on June 5, 2022. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
People are rallying behind the Drombolis family of North Langley. Dad Shane has been battling a rare form of cancer and mom Kristine was recently diagnosed with the very same condition. (GoFundMe)

Community rallies to help B.C. couple battling rare form of cancer

GoFundMe launched after wife was diagnosed with the same rare cancer husband is fighting

People are rallying behind the Drombolis family of North Langley. Dad Shane has been battling a rare form of cancer and mom Kristine was recently diagnosed with the very same condition. (GoFundMe)
To continue supporting youth across BC, 11 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are coming together to host The Big BC Lotto. Buy your tickets now for a chance to win half the jackpot in a classic 50/50 draw!

Lotto for a cause: Half for you, half for ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ across BC!

The Big BC Lotto helps connect youth with caring mentors across the province

  • Apr 11, 2022
To continue supporting youth across BC, 11 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are coming together to host The Big BC Lotto. Buy your tickets now for a chance to win half the jackpot in a classic 50/50 draw!
Lily Bowers with her Ukraine flag-style quilt, made to help raise funds to support those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Sparwood woman raises over $2K for Ukraine with special handmade blanket

Lily Bowers donated $2,210 raised through ticket sales to the Red Cross

Lily Bowers with her Ukraine flag-style quilt, made to help raise funds to support those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)

Canada-Ukraine exchange students return to B.C. town to help and to remember

2008-09 Canada World Youth students spent three months in Ukraine and three months in Alberni

Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)
Sarah Beairsto (left), seven-year-old Harper Harvey and Debra Legge with boxes of Girl Guides cookies outside a warehouse in North Delta on Saturday, March 12. (Photo: Tom Zillich)

Girl Guides back to door-to-door cookie sales after 2 years of doing business differently

Chocolate/vanilla cookies sold in spring, and those who love the mint ones have to wait until fall

Sarah Beairsto (left), seven-year-old Harper Harvey and Debra Legge with boxes of Girl Guides cookies outside a warehouse in North Delta on Saturday, March 12. (Photo: Tom Zillich)