Community

Cooper (left) and Lucas Lidstone share a special brotherly moment. Lucas, a child with special needs, has been greatly helped by a program called Bear Essentials. (Photo courtesy of Laura Lidstone)

Pot of Gold raffle supports Vancouver Island kids with health challenges

Bear Essentials program bridging the gap for children with complex healthcare needs

Cooper (left) and Lucas Lidstone share a special brotherly moment. Lucas, a child with special needs, has been greatly helped by a program called Bear Essentials. (Photo courtesy of Laura Lidstone)
The 2022 Wounded Warrior Run concludes at Victoria’s Market Square on March 6. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Wounded Warriors complete 2022’s 600-kilometre Vancouver Island run in Victoria

After a two-year hiatus, the run raised over $150,000 for uniformed first responders

The 2022 Wounded Warrior Run concludes at Victoria’s Market Square on March 6. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Science Fair Foundation BC aims to raise $100,000 this year in its biggest fundraiser of the year, Sweatin’ for Science.

Sweatin’ for Science sets a fundraising goal of $100,000 for 2022

The Science Fair Foundation BC’s biggest fundraiser, Sweatin’ for Science is back,…

  • Mar 7, 2022
Science Fair Foundation BC aims to raise $100,000 this year in its biggest fundraiser of the year, Sweatin’ for Science.
Karen Love, executive director of BGC Central Vancouver Island, accepts a $2,000 cheque from Sean McCue, publisher of the Nanaimo News Bulletin. BGC CVI is one of two charities in Nanaimo that receives support from Coins for Kids. (News Bulletin photo)

Nanaimo News Bulletin presents Coins for Kids cheques to charities

Newspaper appreciates community’s giving spirit

Karen Love, executive director of BGC Central Vancouver Island, accepts a $2,000 cheque from Sean McCue, publisher of the Nanaimo News Bulletin. BGC CVI is one of two charities in Nanaimo that receives support from Coins for Kids. (News Bulletin photo)
A student uses Innovaton for Learning’s TutorMate software to improve their reading skills. Submitted photo/ Innovation for Learning

Island school first in province to adopt new early literacy program

Campbell River elementary has a tutor giving a leg up on reading to 20 K-1 students

A student uses Innovaton for Learning’s TutorMate software to improve their reading skills. Submitted photo/ Innovation for Learning
Catherine getting ready for the next round of chemo, with her three kids for support. (GoFundMe/Special to The News)

B.C. family in need of support after mother’s stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis

Seek funds to cover treatment and care for their three autism-diagnosed kids

Catherine getting ready for the next round of chemo, with her three kids for support. (GoFundMe/Special to The News)
Steve Nicklen, one of the individuals who supports migrant farm workers, repairing bikes at his home in Maple Ridge. (Special to The News)

Volunteers to donate 200 bikes to migrant farm workers impacted by B.C. flooding

Seek help repairing bikes in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

Steve Nicklen, one of the individuals who supports migrant farm workers, repairing bikes at his home in Maple Ridge. (Special to The News)
A Diabetes Canada donation bin in the parking lot at Country Grocer in Chase River. (News Bulletin file photo)

Diabetes Canada asking for donations of 40 pieces of clothing over 40 days

Charitable organization asks Nanaimo residents to go through their closets for a good cause

A Diabetes Canada donation bin in the parking lot at Country Grocer in Chase River. (News Bulletin file photo)
The 2022 Wounded Warrior Run team, various North Island emergency personnel, and Mayor Dennis Dugas and Kwakiutl First Nation chief Calvin Hunt, all stopped for a group photo bright and early in Port Hardy on Sunday, Feb. 27 before the runners left Carrot Park. (David Grainger photo)

600 kilometres: The 2022 Wounded Warrior Run leaves Port Hardy bright and early

The 600 kilometre run is held annually to raise awareness and funds for Wounded Warriors Canada

The 2022 Wounded Warrior Run team, various North Island emergency personnel, and Mayor Dennis Dugas and Kwakiutl First Nation chief Calvin Hunt, all stopped for a group photo bright and early in Port Hardy on Sunday, Feb. 27 before the runners left Carrot Park. (David Grainger photo)
Sutter Rowse, 8, cuddles with Hazel, the cat, at the Williams Lake BCSPCA who he raised $850 toward the cost of her surgery. (Leslie Rowse photo)

8-year-old Williams Lake boy, mom raise $850 for injured, abandoned cat’s surgery

“I don’t know why, but I just love cats,” said Sutter Rowse

Sutter Rowse, 8, cuddles with Hazel, the cat, at the Williams Lake BCSPCA who he raised $850 toward the cost of her surgery. (Leslie Rowse photo)
As others don pink t-shirts for anti-bullying day (Feb. 23), swimmers across British Columbia – including White Rock Wave members Bill Blair, Debbie Dunn and Cindy Yoc – are wearing pink caps as part of an initiative set up by Swim BC. (Contributed photo)

Sea of pink at B.C. pool a tribute to kindness, compassion during anti-bullying week

Swim BC offered pink swim caps to teams across the province for annual initiative

As others don pink t-shirts for anti-bullying day (Feb. 23), swimmers across British Columbia – including White Rock Wave members Bill Blair, Debbie Dunn and Cindy Yoc – are wearing pink caps as part of an initiative set up by Swim BC. (Contributed photo)
Nanaimo’s Coldest Night of the Year event will take place at Maffeo Sutton Park on Feb. 26. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Community members in Nanaimo asked to brave elements on Coldest Night of the Year

Fundraiser benefiting Island Crisis Care Society takes place Feb. 26 at Maffeo Sutton Park

Nanaimo’s Coldest Night of the Year event will take place at Maffeo Sutton Park on Feb. 26. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Studying to be a TRA and supporting dementia patients has made this the happiest year of Jessica’s life!

From pain to purpose: How Jessica found herself by becoming a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

By 20 years of age, Jessica Dobransky had endured a lifetime of…

  • Feb 14, 2022
Studying to be a TRA and supporting dementia patients has made this the happiest year of Jessica’s life!
Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress is collecting warm clothes at its three Vancouver Island locations. (Courtesy Victoria Cool Aid Society)

Vancouver Island business seeking warm clothes for those in need

Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress collecting donations at stores in Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River

Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress is collecting warm clothes at its three Vancouver Island locations. (Courtesy Victoria Cool Aid Society)
Port McNeill Mayor Gaby Wickstrom. (Photo supplied)

Port McNeill mayor re-elected as Vancouver Island Regional Library board chair

Port Hardy Councillor Fred Robertson was elected to serve on the nine-member executive committee

Port McNeill Mayor Gaby Wickstrom. (Photo supplied)
Tarn can often be seen at events walking on stilts. Photo supplied

Vancouver Island youth getting first haircut at 16 for good causes

Tarn Blakely will donate the hair to Hair We Share while raising funds for YANA

Tarn can often be seen at events walking on stilts. Photo supplied
Benny Hanson, who turned 90 on Feb. 1, 2022, is a pump operator with the Celista Fire Department. (Celista Fire Department image)

90-year-old B.C. firefighter has always been one to keep busy

Benny Hanson said his philosophy was ‘change jobs every four years’

Benny Hanson, who turned 90 on Feb. 1, 2022, is a pump operator with the Celista Fire Department. (Celista Fire Department image)
The development of the printing press in the 1400s led to the creation of books and other printed materials for the public to read. This file photo shows the first edition of the Alberni Valley News rolling through the press at the Black Press printing plant in Ladysmith. (Alberni Valley News file photo)

QUIZ: Celebrating the joy of reading

Family Literacy Day in Canada is held each year on Jan. 27.

The development of the printing press in the 1400s led to the creation of books and other printed materials for the public to read. This file photo shows the first edition of the Alberni Valley News rolling through the press at the Black Press printing plant in Ladysmith. (Alberni Valley News file photo)
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)