Community

Nanaimo Search and Rescue volunteers Tristan Anderson, left, and Dave Gaskill carry a tree toward a chipper during a Christmas tree chip-up fundraiser event at Country Club Centre on Saturday morning. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Christmas tree chip-up events taking place all weekend in Nanaimo

Nanaimo Search and Rescue, Nanaimo SPCA, Salvation Army hosting fundraisers

Origin at Longwood retirement home residents and staff members with a $3,000 cheque for Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. Origin at Longwood shared more than $6,700 in donations to five charities last month as part of its Spirit of Giving program. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo seniors’ home raises $6,700 in Spirit of Giving program

Origin at Longwood residents and staff members donated to five charities

Through a confidential application process, KidSport provides grants to kids aged 18 and under (from families facing financial barriers) to help cover the cost of registration fees for a season of sport. Visit kidsport.ca to learn more.

Let’s play! Grants help Nanaimo kids get off the sidelines

Every year, KidSport pays registration fees for low-income families, so ALL kids can play

  • Dec 13, 2021
A puppy named Captain Sparrow and its siblings were brought to the Nanaimo and District B.C. SPCA for care of a range of medical issues. (Photos contributed)

8 puppies with serious health issues brought to Nanaimo SPCA for care

B.C. SPCA asking for donations to help with costs of animals’ care

A puppy named Captain Sparrow and its siblings were brought to the Nanaimo and District B.C. SPCA for care of a range of medical issues. (Photos contributed)
Bailey Paauwe, left, and Ella McPherson started an online fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada after Paauwe’s stepfather was diagnosed last month with leukemia. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo elementary school students raise money for leukemia society after family member’s diagnosis

Pleasant Valley Elementary School students educate peers, start online fundraiser

Bailey Paauwe, left, and Ella McPherson started an online fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada after Paauwe’s stepfather was diagnosed last month with leukemia. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Hospital Way next to Victoria General Hospital was renamed Jeneece Place to mark the home’s fifth anniversary in 2017. Visionary of the home, Frankie Edroff holds up the new sign. (Courtesy of Jeneece Place)

Jeneece Place celebrates 10 years of offering Island families a ‘safe landing place’

Close to 3,000 families of chiildren receiving acute care housed since January 2012

Hospital Way next to Victoria General Hospital was renamed Jeneece Place to mark the home’s fifth anniversary in 2017. Visionary of the home, Frankie Edroff holds up the new sign. (Courtesy of Jeneece Place)
Jacqueline Windh and David Gilbert in June 2019 teamed up with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Spanish Embassy and some Nuu-chah-nulth partners to undertake an historical expedition of Vancouver’s northwest coast. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Vancouver Island scientist gets national honour for coastal exploration

Royal Canadian Geographical Society honours Jacqueline Windh with medal

Jacqueline Windh and David Gilbert in June 2019 teamed up with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Spanish Embassy and some Nuu-chah-nulth partners to undertake an historical expedition of Vancouver’s northwest coast. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)

B.C. university ‘renames’ stairway after alumni Chris Hadfield

‘For me it all started there, just up the hill from Hatley Castle,’ Canadian astronaut says

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021

BC Dairy thanks the community for over $850,000 flood relief donations, and shines a spotlight on local community heroes

British Columbians have come forward with an incredible show of support for…

  • Jan 10, 2022
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021
Videos from throughout 2021 capture Vancouver Island’s top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)

Vancouver Island animal videos we watched in 2021

Look back at a year of adorable, breathtaking and unusual footage

Videos from throughout 2021 capture Vancouver Island’s top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)
Otters can often be spotted in Victoria, but they’re usually playing in the grass – not the snow. (Courtesy of Lisa McPhail)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island otter spotted frolicking in fresh snow

A Victoria resident caught the adorable moment on video

Otters can often be spotted in Victoria, but they’re usually playing in the grass – not the snow. (Courtesy of Lisa McPhail)
Ronnie Lee, left, holds three turkey platters ready to be delivered to West Coast homes. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino restaurant serves over 1,300 free takeway turkey dinners in one night

Lil Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ keeps community Christmas tradition alive

Ronnie Lee, left, holds three turkey platters ready to be delivered to West Coast homes. (Nora O’Malley photo)
(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Can Can dancers trot out Christmas flash mobs

City residents with amazing Christmas displays were treated to the surprise dances

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Relatives of Wilson S.C. Lai join care providers, Island Health board chair Leah Hollins, Island Health president and CEO Kathy MacNeil, hospitals foundation board chair Tom Siemens, and executive director Avery Brohman to celebrate a $5-million gift to Victoria hospitals. (Courtesy Victoria Hospitals Foundation)

$5M donation means better care for Island residents at Victoria hospitals

Foundation’s biggest donor, Lai family, donates $8M to date

Relatives of Wilson S.C. Lai join care providers, Island Health board chair Leah Hollins, Island Health president and CEO Kathy MacNeil, hospitals foundation board chair Tom Siemens, and executive director Avery Brohman to celebrate a $5-million gift to Victoria hospitals. (Courtesy Victoria Hospitals Foundation)
Tickets are now available for the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 50/50 draw.(News Bulletin file photo)

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 50/50 raffle tickets now available

Winning ticket could be worth as much as $100,000

Tickets are now available for the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 50/50 draw.(News Bulletin file photo)
The North Oyster Volunteer Fire department accepts a donation for its toy drive from Bob and Diane Burgess. (Photo submitted)

Calendar sale proceeds add up to $1,000 donation to North Oyster toy drive

North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department collecting presents for Nanaimo hospital

The North Oyster Volunteer Fire department accepts a donation for its toy drive from Bob and Diane Burgess. (Photo submitted)
The Vancouver Island Regional Library is the fifth largest library system in British Columbia and serves a population of more than 450,000. File photo

Vancouver Island Regional Library mandating vaccines for all employees

The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) is adopting a Vaccination Operational Policy…

The Vancouver Island Regional Library is the fifth largest library system in British Columbia and serves a population of more than 450,000. File photo
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.

Ellie’s journey: Rare condition points to critical research need

BC Children’s Hospital shares need for increased research for childhood cancers

  • Dec 13, 2021
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.
Nanaimo Child Development is partnering with Island Mediquip, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and a number of social service agencies for a therapeutic equipment loan program. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Child Development Centre teams to provide access to therapeutic equipment

NCDC teams with Island Mediquip and community social service agencies

Nanaimo Child Development is partnering with Island Mediquip, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and a number of social service agencies for a therapeutic equipment loan program. (News Bulletin file photo)
Greg Willmon, Rogers Foudation director, left, and Erin Beaudoin, Eden Gardens executive director, stand by as Rogers Foundation board directors Ruth Thorpe and Barrie Rogers throw a switch to light the Brighten Our Spirits fundraising challenge banner during a cheque presentation at the challenge kickoff event Thursday, Dec. 9. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo charity campaign brightens spirits of seniors living with dementia

Eden Gardens’ Brighten Our Spirits challenge stands to benefit from donation of up to $15,000

Greg Willmon, Rogers Foudation director, left, and Erin Beaudoin, Eden Gardens executive director, stand by as Rogers Foundation board directors Ruth Thorpe and Barrie Rogers throw a switch to light the Brighten Our Spirits fundraising challenge banner during a cheque presentation at the challenge kickoff event Thursday, Dec. 9. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)