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UsedfulNews: Sponsored content in News in Comox Valley

Used Around Town August 2020
Used.ca's sponsored events around Vancouver Island
Used Around Town August 2020 image

Victoria Symphony Splash – Virtual Concert August 2 @ 7:30 pm

This year, we’re going digital! Although we can’t have Victoria Symphony Splash in person, we can watch the 2018 concert together! Join the Victoria Symphony on August 2 @ 7:30 pm to watch this magnificent event including a new introduction with CTV Vancouver Island’s Adam Sawatsky and Splash Young Soloist Danielle Tsao!

https://www.facebook.com/vicsymphony

http://www.victoriasymphony.ca

2020 Our Place Hungry Hearts Mac and Cheese Competition – August 8- September 8

Go to www.ourplacesociety.com and find out what great restaurants are competing for the title of Favourite Mac and Cheese in Greater Victoria.

Contest runs August 8 – September 8.. Vote on your favourite dish and the winner will be announced during Hungry Hearts – A Virtual Gala, Saturday, September 12, 5 pm. Catch it online!

Support our restaurants, support Our Place and support our community!

2020 Our Place Virtual Hungry Hearts Gala

Go to www.ourplacesociety.com to join us live for a virtual gala on Saturday, September 12, at 5pm. Enjoy great live music, cooking demos, auctions, a Q and A with the new CEO of Our Place and more.

As well, we’ll announce the winner of Greater Victoria’s search for the best Mac and Cheese!

Goddess Virtual Run Series 2020/21 

Photo credit is Brynn Feather

We want to help you stay active all year so we have four races with incredible swag to keep you motivated! You choose your goal distance (5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon or bump it up and do a 50k) and register. You can even sign up as a team! We are partnering with the BC Cancer Foundation as our charity of choice.

The Goddess Virtual Series Package is only $149 for four races. You receive the series package of swag items (race bag, series race #, pendant & necklace combo, series medal & lanyard and amazing sponsor swag) plus individual items for each race.

We have a Kids Series Run Package for those 12 & under for $79) that includes all four events, a race bag, a series medal, a series race number, and a collector bead for each individual event.

Registration closes August 31, 2020. Visit GODDESS RUN for more info.

Victoria Hospitals Foundation It’s Critical Fundraising Campaign

Today—more than ever—our hospitals need the community’s support. Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s It’s Critical fundraising campaign will build the Island’s first permanent High Acuity Unit (HAU) at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH), nearly doubling critical care capacity.

Right now, any donations made in lieu of Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s annual Visions gala will be matched up to $200,000 thanks to a generous matching donation from the Salomon Robinson Family Foundation. Double your It’s Critical donation now: victoriahf.ca/visions/ 

An HAU gives our hospitals more capacity and flexibility to manage a surge of critical patients such as during influenza season, or in response to COVID-19. The Island’s population is growing and ageing and this investment is needed to meet ever-growing critical care needs now and in the future. If everyone in the Greater Victoria area donated just $20, the Foundation would reach its $7 million campaign goal and improve critical care for the community. Learn more and donate: victoriahf.ca/critical/ 

Tour de Victoria’s #ridelocal Summer Challenge

Photo credit Matt Cecill Visuals

We may not be celebrating the 10th annual Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria presented by Scotiabank this summer, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to keep seeing you on your bike. So we thought a little summer challenge might be just what you need!

We are excited to be hosting our new #ridelocal Summer Challenge!  Each week we’ll announce new challenges geared at all levels of cyclists. Take part in some or all. Plus we will have some great prize incentives each week. 

And the best news?  IT’S FREE!  We will send you new challenges to take part in each week. Some are super easy fun things to incorporate into your week, while others are more challenging to keep you training. You will be able to participate in these challenges from anywhere in the world!

If you want to be eligible for some of our big prizes, you do need to SIGN UP. Or watch our social media each Monday for the challenge announcement. With sponsors like Harbour Air and Spinnakers you know we will have excellent prizes!

GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon Challenge Series!

We realize it can be difficult to stay motivated so we thought a little Summer Challenge would keep you training and reaching those goals!

Bruce Deacon, our Online Training Coach has pulled together a great Summer Challenge and we would love for you to take part.  So come join our FB Group to get his tips, motivations, ask your questions and be entered to win prizes (who doesn’t love an extra incentive like a prize or two!).

We’ll be posting our challenges each Monday in the FB Group and on our Facebook and Instagram pages. You don’t have to be in the FB Group to follow along with the fun, but you will need to be in there for the bigger monthly challenge prizes.

CLICK to join our FB Group if you haven’t already.

Let’s keep training together!

Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon 2020 Campaigns

50/50

Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon (RMH BC) serves families who must travel far from home to seek life-saving medical treatment for a child. The 73-room House provides 2,000 BC and Yukon families each year with accommodation, comfort, access to programs and a community of support during a difficult time.

During this time, RMH BC has cancelled two signature fundraising events and many other community fundraisers have been postponed. Fundraising activities, community support and generous donations ensure that no family is turned away for financial reasons.

Purchasing a 50/50 raffle ticket supports families going through the most difficult time of their lives. 50/50 tickets are 1 for $10; 3 for $20; 5 for $40; 15 for $100. Tickets can be purchased online from July 1 until August 14 at noon. Winner will be drawn on August 14 and will take home half the pot with the other half going to support families at RMH BC.

https://rmhbc.rafflenexus.com/

Putt It Forward

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon continues to be a home away from home for Vancouver Island families who must travel for their child’s life-saving treatment, in addition to coping with the global pandemic.

22% of our families served come from Vancouver Island. Keeping these families and our extended RMH BC community safe is always our primary concern. Unfortunately, this means that we have made the difficult decision to cancel two of our signature fundraising events, including our 28th Annual Vancouver Island Golf Tournament presented by RLC Park Services, which raises over $100,000 each year in support of the House.

In lieu of these important annual events, our amazing community has already raised $60,000 through Putt It Forward. Join in the campaign by donating or sharing our message through social media!

https://rmhbc.ca/putt-it-forward/

Text to Donate

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon continues to be a home away from home for BC  families who must travel for their child’s life-saving treatment, in addition to coping with the global pandemic. The 73-room House provides 2,000 families each year with accommodation, comfort, access to programs and a community of support during a difficult time.

During this time, RMH BC has cancelled two signature fundraising events and many other community fundraisers have been postponed. Fundraising activities, community support and generous donations ensure that no family is turned away for financial reasons.

Make a difference by texting HOME to 45678 to make a $10 donation to RMH BC.

The Westcoast Motorcycle Ride to Live – Sunday, September 13th, 2020

It’s More Than Just A Ride, It’s A Chance To Save Lives!

Right now, 1 in every 7 Vancouver Island men is diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The Westcoast Motorcycle Ride to Live raises awareness by staging this event focused on Prostate Cancer early detection and prevention.

We have raised over $650,000 towards education and research right here on Vancouver Island. 

Even though this year’s Ride to Live is going to be a virtual event, it is still a true Island event! 

We ride for our dads, our brothers and our friends.  

Who will you be riding for? Register now: https://www.islandprostatecentre.com/ridetolive/

Bike to Work Week Online Bike Skills Program – May-August 2020

Programs for Summer 2020

 In collaboration with the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, the Bike to Work Society is excited to be launching two new online programs this summer (May to August 2020) for residents across the Greater Victoria region. These two programs are the new Online Bike Skills curriculum, as well as a Neighbourhood Rides Program. Together, we hope these new programs will offer tools for people to get outside and stay active while also respecting physical distancing. 

Online Bike Skills 

The new Online Bike Skills curriculum is our way to translate the Bike Skills in-person cycling courses into online content. The online curriculum consists of three components: Webinar Workshops, and Cycling Resource Library, and a Tip Clip Series. Webinars will cover topics such as basic bike maintenance, proper bike fit, tricky intersections, and family cycling. Tip Clips will offer practical tips such as securely locking your bike, a pre-ride bike safety check-up, and changing a tire or tube. The Cycling Resource Library is a collection of the best videos, articles, and information about cycling – based on the most popular topics from cycling courses. 

Our hope is that we’re able to answer common questions, build people’s confidence, all while committing to keep cycling education accessible so that folks can keep riding even after COVID-19. All the new online Bike Skills content is free or available as “pay-what-you-can”. 

For more information on the resources as well as a schedule for upcoming webinars, please visit: biketoworkvictoria.ca/online-cycling-resources/ 

Contact: Justine, Bike Skills Program Coordinator at justine@biketowork.ca

Victoria HarbourCats Baseball – WE WILL BE BACK!

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, the Victoria HarbourCats are gearing up for what will be a celebratory season and a return to West Coast League baseball in 2021.  Season tickets, 10-game flex packs and merchandise are now on sale through the HarbourCats offices at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, or by calling 778-265-0327.  Merchandise and 10-game packs may also be purchased on-line through “The Cat Shop” at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/.  

Help support the best summertime sports entertainment in the City and lock in your 2021 tickets today!  Offices open 10-5 Tuesday to Friday.   

Note: Thanks to all our fans who purchased 2020 game tickets or flex-pack vouchers!  Please keep them in a safe place and we will happily exchange them for tickets or vouchers to any regular-season game in 2021 once the schedule has been released.

For more information, follow the HarbourCats at www.harbourcats.com  or at our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/harbourcats

Help Fill a Dream Box of Goodness Campaign

Help Fill A Dream will be delivering a Box of Goodness weekly to families across Vancouver Island who have been identified as most at need during the pandemic. They know that families with critically ill children have been left especially vulnerable by the outbreak of Covid-19. Getting out to buy groceries has been challenging for everyone; add to that the additional concern if you have someone in your family who is immuno-compromised, or otherwise in ill health. They are also aware that many families who may have been struggling already have had financial burdens added due to job losses.

Nutritious food is the foundation for good health. Every family deserves to be able to eat well. With your donation, you can play a part in feeding the extended Help Fill A Dream Family, because food + family = love.

Help Fill A Dream are calling on the community to help. Long time supporters The Hyatt Family Foundation has offered to match donations up to a total of $15,000. Every $25 donation for one food box for a family, will turn into two boxes thanks to the matching donation pledge. https://www.helpfilladream.com/food-box-campaign/

Bike to Work Week Neighbourhood Rides Program – May-August 2020

The Neighbourhood Rides Program The Neighbourhood Rides program consists of three parts: a Scavenger Hunt, a Discovery Ride, and a Ride-theDistance challenge. The Scavenger Hunt has up to 15 riddles to solve per neighbourhood; the Discovery Ride takes you on a guided ride that reveals the neighbourhood’s remarkable, and often, hidden features. Ride-theDistance are 1-4 hour rides curated by expert cyclists to show you the very best of Greater Victoria. Every two weeks, we will be releasing two new Scavenger Hunts, two new Discovery Rides, and one new Ride-theDistance ride for new neighbourhoods. By the end of August, there will be Scavenger Hunts and Discovery Rides for 16 different neighbourhoods across the region.

In addition to the activities, participants can also submit their stories online – to not only share their experiences but also win gift certificates to local restaurants and bike shops. The GVCC has selected businesses from each featured neighbourhood to help support them during these tough times. Participants have a 2-week window to submit their photos, videos, or stories to win prizes. 

For more information on the Neighbourhood Rides Program, visit: gvcc.bc.ca

Contact: Sara, Program Coordinator for Neighbourhood Rides Program at sara@biketowork.ca

Buy Local Cowichan

In the wake of the unprecedented economic interruption that the COVID-19 pandemic has created, #cowichanstrong has partnered with Economic Development Cowichan and a coalition of other local business organizations to mount a cross-platform awareness initiative to encourage Cowichan Valley residents to purchase goods from local stores and service providers.

It is widely known and understood that small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. Now, more than ever it is vitally important that we make an effort to keep dollars within our communities so that their effect on financial recovery is multiplied through the recreation of previously lost jobs.

Just as a rising tide floats all boats, a contemplative and compassionate look at the way we spend our money will play an important role in the way we navigate these uncharted waters of our “new normal.” https://www.buylocalcowichan.ca/

SMC Club – August Speakers

SMC Club is so excited to be welcoming Jam Gamble in August to speak on how to amplify your voice online. Jahmeelah “Jam” Gamble,  is an award-winning media personality, sought out keynote speaker, and CEO behind “Slay The Mic”, a program that helps aspiring speakers, content creators, and entrepreneurs transform their voice into their ultimate superpower. In this SMC session, Jam will give you her top tips and tricks to help you amplify your voice online.

SMC Club is a place to come together and learn how to use social media to grow your business. Join the club for two monthly webinars, one live Q&A conversation with industry leaders, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources. One year memberships are currently on sale for $157 until September 1, 2020 (regular price $257). Register here

Sooke Fine Arts Show – July 24 – August 3

Like every summer, this year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show, open now until August 3, offers an exquisitely curated gallery of inspirational art pieces from Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal island artists.  But unlike every summer, this year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show and its gallery of art works is online!

The Sooke Fine Arts (SFAS) team has created a virtual art experience for an expanded online audience that showcases over 375+ juried works of painting, sculpture, fibre arts, glass and ceramics, jewellery, and photography in a virtual format. 

Alongside the artworks are fascinating  Artist Talks and Demonstrations, a fun, interactive page with games and activities for kids, music, and an auction. You can still vote for your favourite piece and while you’re on the site, leave us a note in our guestbook. Following the close of the show, the artworks will be for sale until September 30. 

Discover Local YYJ – August 15-30

Discover Local YYJ is a economic initiative to promote the small businesses in the Greater Victoria Area that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to raise awareness of these businesses to Victoria residents and stimulate our economy not just for the short term, but for the future.

We have partnered with over 100 locally owned and operated small businesses to provide discounts and special offers to the pass holders between August 15th and 30th. Attendees purchase a Discover Pass online, then use their pass to claim the exclusive promotions and discounts offered by the vendors in our directory throughout Greater Victoria and online during the 15 days.

By purchasing a Discover Pass, you can explore and receive exclusive discounts from dozens of Victoria’s unique small businesses. For fifteen days you can visit and shop from a variety of stores and services in the Greater Victoria region. From cafes and restaurants to physiotherapists and naturopaths, the diversity of your Discover Pass is virtually endless. Simply purchase your pass online through our Eventbrite page and keep your phone handy when you visit or speak with vendors to access the discounts. and promotions For ease of use, we highly recommend downloading the Eventbrite App. For those vendors that are online, you’ll receive a promo code that you can use on their website.

Buy your early bird pass now and save $5! After August 1st passes will be $20 each.

Road to Home Open House – August 23

Habitat for Humanity Victoria is hosting the first annual Road to Home Open House event! This is the perfect one-day activity for family and friends to take part in while maintaining their social bubble. Registered groups will receive a challenge card to complete independently around the Peninsula. Each challenge card completed will be entered to win prizes generously donated by local businesses!

On the build site at 2611 Bakerview Place we will also offer guided tours, information on our Habitat programs and some additional fun activities for groups.

Each group registration includes:
– Challenge card
– Entry to win prizes
– Guided site tour
– Other activities by donation
– The opportunity to meet Habitat’s newest families along the way

All funds raised will go directly towards the materials needed to complete eleven homes currently under construction and help local families in need of an affordable place to call home!

Preregister at https://www.habitatvictoria.com/roadtohome.html to save your spot!

KidSport Play it Forward Looking for Sponsors!

Play it Forward is a new-for-2020 concept by KidSport Greater Victoria, inspired by the amazing generosity and enthusiasm around past KidSport fundraisers that cannot proceed as they usually would at this time.  KidSport exists to ensure ALL kids have opportunity to get off the sidelines and into the sport of their choice, annually funding up to 1400 local kids in need into sport.  Play it Forward is motivated by two goals: to raise funds for KidSport, and to give back to many of the hospitality-industry businesses who have made our past events so successful.  50% of all corporate sponsorship will be used to purchase goods and gift cards, which will become the prizing for a large online silent auction happening Sept 14-24.  Please consider joining the sponsorship team!  Options start at just $100; the event sponsorship grid and more information can be found at www.jonmontgomerypizzapigout.com.

Torque Masters 2020 South Island Poker Run – August 9

 

 

The Torque Masters Car Club invites you to join us for a day of Covid friendly cruising! Starting from in front of the Odeon Cineplex at Westshore Town Centre. Cars will gather in a social distant manor at 9am – Poker Run starts at 10am sharp. Route is 89km long and ends in Sidney around noon. To play poker: it is $10 per hand, one hand per person please but multiple hands can be played in the same car. We will draw a card at each stop for you and you will record it on the sheet provided. 50% of the proceeds go to the winner and 50% go to charity. You can register and pay online at torquemasters.ca – e-transfers can be sent to Lyle at: treasurer@torquemasters.ca – hope to see you Sunday!

KidsSport Play it Forward Online Auction – September 14-24

2020 is different! Like organizations and businesses everywhere, KidSport Greater Victoria is hard at work trying to work out how to do things differently this year – with the ultimate goal of raising funds to continue to support local kids and families in need through access to sport.  Inspired by their single biggest fundraiser of the last three years, the Jon Montgomery Pizza Pigout, KidSport Greater Victoria is excited to be reimagining a very different concept for 2020.

Play it Forward has committed 50% of corporate sponsorship to the purchase of goods and gift cards from local businesses who have supported us during better times. These items will be featured in a large, online silent auction, happening Sept 14 to 24th! For more information, visit www.jonmontgomerypizzapigout.com. For a look at the auction, go direct to www.elevateauctions.com/KidSportYYJ.

Hike for Hospice – September 15-30

After being postponed due to COVID-19, Hike for Hospice is back in a new format!

From September 15-30, you are invited to Hike for Hospice, starting at the Victoria Hospice Community Support Centre on Chatterton Way. From there you can head out on a lovely, self-directed 3km walk around Rithet’s Bog which is located directly across the street!

The Community Support Centre will be the home to the Tree of Remembrance, where you can write the name of a loved one on a leaf and hang it on the tree.

Gather your “bubble” or enjoy a socially distanced walk all in support of end-of-life care. Dogs on leash welcome, and as always, there will be a prize for best-dressed dog!

Funds raised from Hike for Hospice help provide care and comfort for patients, as well as support for families through bereavement services available at the Community Support Centre.
Register today at victoriahospice.org/hikeforhospice

Victoria Symphony Big Bus Brass – August 22

On Saturday, August 22, the Victoria Symphony is hitting the road…well, sort of!

The Victoria Symphony Brass Quintet is taking over a Hop-on-Hop-off double-decker bus from Big Bus Victoria this Saturday to bring beautiful music to the community.

The Victoria Symphony Brass Quintet will climb aboard the big bus and travel to various locations throughout the city to perform 15 minute sets including popular tunes like the Liberty Bell, La Peri and That’s A Plenty.

Come out to show your support for these wonderful musicians and enjoy the sunshine.

11:30 am          Fairmont Empress

12:00 pm          Ogden Point by the Breakwater Café & Bistro

12:30 pm          Beacon Hill Park by the petting zoo

2:00 pm            Mayfair Shopping Centre

2:30 pm            Fairmont Empress

www.victoriasymphony.ca/big-bus-brass

Greek Fest – August 28-30 and September 4-7

 

YES, IT’S HAPPENING! We are excited to announce that Greek Fest is back this year with delicious Greek food favorites, our new safe and easy drive thru pickup, online ordering and ticketing, and incredible cultural exhibit tours by reservation! The 19th Annual Victoria Greek Fest will take place August 28th – August 30th  and September 4th – September 7th, at the Greek Community Centre located at 4648 Elk Lake Drive!   
 
With the help of Island Health (VIHA), Greek Fest 2020 is prioritizing a safe and healthy environment to align with all necessary COVID-19 related precautions. This year, for the first time in Greek Fest history, our event will take place as a drive thru and online ordering event! Our health and safety conscious procedures are specifically designed to allow for easy, contactless food pickup so we can keep this beloved community tradition alive during these unprecedented times. With the help of our loyal and dedicated sponsors, VIHA, District of Saanich and our amazing community, we anticipate many event attendees and two highly successful weekends to close summer 2020.
Greek Fest 2020 welcomes the entire family, offering an array of authentic Greek appetizers and mains, deserts, baked goods, and refreshing beverages. Just like previous years, Greek Fest is proud to also feature authentically roasted lamb prepared according to tradition (not to be missed)! As well as souvlaki, spanakopita, baklava, loukomades and much more.  Bring your appetite! Order online here.

National Philanthropy Day Giving Hearts Honour Roll – November 15

National Philanthropy Day has provided an opportunity for the community to gather to celebrate the impact generosity has on our community and learn new skills to apply to enhance the philanthropic sector. This year, for the first time ever, the AFP Vancouver Island Chapter will host the 21st Annual National Philanthropy Day Celebration virtually during the week of November 15th, 2020. 

Despite the countless challenges that our global community has faced, the generosity of our neighbours near and far has been overwhelming. Our community has come together in unique, innovative, and caring ways to support one another. We strongly believe that this needs to be celebrated. 

While we will not be able to execute our usual in-person events this year, we have adapted NPD programming to provide the Vancouver Island community with an opportunity to highlight outstanding acts of philanthropy, learn from one another, and celebrate together during these uncertain times, while respecting the health and safety of everyone. 

This year we will celebrate and learn together in the following ways: National Philanthropy Day Giving Hearts Honour Roll, Virtual Philanthropy Café Masterclass, and the Coast Capital Savings Power of Youth: Giving Hearts Workshop. 

Do you know an individual, group, or organization that has responded to our community’s unprecedented needs in unique and generous ways? 

This year, we are postponing our regular 6 awards categories and instead have created a new “NPD Giving Hearts Honour Roll” presented by Coast Capital Savings to celebrate the outstanding acts of individuals, groups, and organizations that responded to unprecedented needs in our community in unique and generous ways. We hope to capture the breadth and depth of the generosity in our community and inspire others to continue finding creative ways to be kind and help one another. 

The AFP Vancouver Island Chapter is now accepting award nominations. Nominations are open to the entire community and will be accepted until September 15, 2020. By nominating community members free of charge, you have the chance to show appreciation for outstanding neighbours, friends, and local change-makers. This is your chance to remind our community how giving hearts change the world, one act of generosity at a time.  Nominate here.

Fringe Mini Celebration – August 26-30

Tymesha Harris performs Josephine Baker, photo by Roberto Gonzalez

This has been a year like no other, and we couldn’t let a summer go by without a mini celebration of the Victoria Fringe to bring us together, share some great memories, and be entertained – and it’s all FREE! This will be a Fringe like no other, with special online video offerings such as FringeKids character appearances, interviews with artists from the Victoria Fringe Indigenous Artist Program, an analogue memory sharing project, Postcards of Fringe Love and a special release of last year’s smash hit and Audience Favourite Pick of the Fringe winner Josephine. As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Join us for a fresh batch of Fringey lemonade August 26 – 30. Check out https://intrepidtheatre.com/festivals/fringe-festival/ for more details.