Community

Susanna Newton, SOS executive director, holds up the cheque given to SOS for the breakfasts sold during the 2021 Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive. Paul Drummond, Tigh-Na-Mara general manager, and Joanne Thompson, director of sales and marketing at Tigh-Na-Mara, stand behind her in the SOS Toy Shop at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. This year the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive collected 1,397 toys, (plus 30 bikes, 25 of them from Tigh-Na-Mara staff), $11,005 in cash and cheques, $3,165 in gift cards and Tigh-Na-Mara donated $2,380 from breakfasts sold, for a grand total of $16,550 to the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program. See story, Page A37. (Peter McCully photo)

Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive collects 1,397 toys, $16,550 in cash and gift cards

30 bikes also donated to aid SOS Christmas program

Darin Brown, the chairman of Ducks Unlimited, Oceanside chapter, visits the PQB News/VI Daily studios. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: Talking conservation with Darin Brown of Ducks Unlimited Canada

Podcast: ‘Marshkeepers’ group to monitor and assist with wetlands projects

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

  • Nov 29, 2021
Author and book

Nanaimo author pens an instant-Christmas classic with a modern twist!

Christmas is a time of tradition. Most children look forward to enjoying…

  • Nov 29, 2021
Author and book
SOS helps create lasting memories for families and individuals at Christmas. One PQB resident says it's a priceless gift. (Photo submitted)

SOS helps give priceless gifts at Christmas for Parksville Qualicum Beach residents

‘Toy Shop is such a sight to behold’

SOS helps create lasting memories for families and individuals at Christmas. One PQB resident says it's a priceless gift. (Photo submitted)
An in-person BC Craft Brewers Conference, BC Beer Con, will take place in New Westminster come February, says BC Craft Brewers Guild. (Pixabay photo)

Something brewing for craft beer aficionados in new year with BC Beer Con

In-person craft beer conference takes place in February in New Westminster, B.C.

An in-person BC Craft Brewers Conference, BC Beer Con, will take place in New Westminster come February, says BC Craft Brewers Guild. (Pixabay photo)
Lt. Michael Love with the Errington Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) is a certified drone pilot. (Submitted photo)

Errington Volunter Fire Department holds online fundraiser for drone project

Raffle and draw runs until Dec. 16, 2021

Lt. Michael Love with the Errington Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) is a certified drone pilot. (Submitted photo)
Santa with youngsters in Qualicum’s town square. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Annual ‘Moonlight Madness’ event brings holiday cheer to Qualicum Beach

Festive lights and carols delighted families and friends

Santa with youngsters in Qualicum’s town square. (Mandy Moraes photo)
The noon to 6 p.m. shift of entertainers chat during the live stream of the 2021 Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser. This year, the marathon event ran for nearly seven days and raised more than $1 million for the Child’s Play charity. (Photo courtesy of Graham Stark)

Island-based group raises more than $1M playing ‘worst video game’ for nearly seven days

Desert Bus for Hope smashed records in 15th year, supporting sick kids charity Child’s Play

The noon to 6 p.m. shift of entertainers chat during the live stream of the 2021 Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser. This year, the marathon event ran for nearly seven days and raised more than $1 million for the Child’s Play charity. (Photo courtesy of Graham Stark)
Hope the golden retriever puppy is surrounded by volunteers at Hope Secondary School. The adorable guest was renamed as a way of saying thank you to the many volunteers who helped hundreds of people during the floods in Hope. (Photo/Hope Secondary School)

‘It’s a mascot!’: Rescued puppy renamed as salute to flood aid volunteers in Hope

“Hope” sheltered at HSS for three days with their family

Hope the golden retriever puppy is surrounded by volunteers at Hope Secondary School. The adorable guest was renamed as a way of saying thank you to the many volunteers who helped hundreds of people during the floods in Hope. (Photo/Hope Secondary School)
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.

Jillian Harris joins Do Some Good to drive more community impact

Team Jilly’s 12 Days of Giving campaign runs Dec. 1 to 12

  • Nov 22, 2021
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.
“That money has to last 365 days a year, because that’s how many days we’re on the street helping vulnerable individuals.” (Breanna Himmelright/Black Press Media)

Salvation Army kicks off red kettle campaign with extra flood donation goal

Divisional secretary Mike Leland says this year’s need is ‘through the roof’

  • Nov 22, 2021
“That money has to last 365 days a year, because that’s how many days we’re on the street helping vulnerable individuals.” (Breanna Himmelright/Black Press Media)
Mitchel Cook of Nanoose Bay, who attempted to set a Guinness World Records mark for most burpees in a one-hour period, visits the VI Daily/PQB News studios. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: Burpees king Mitchel Cook of Nanoose Bay discusses world record attempt

Podcast: Fitness enthusiast plans another run at Guinness standard

Mitchel Cook of Nanoose Bay, who attempted to set a Guinness World Records mark for most burpees in a one-hour period, visits the VI Daily/PQB News studios. (Peter McCully photo)
SOS Caring for Community at Christmas provides special gifts for local children and youth, and grocery store gift cards for low-income families and individuals. (Photo submitted)

SOS Christmas program removing stigma for children in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Initiative helps fill gap for low-income families

SOS Caring for Community at Christmas provides special gifts for local children and youth, and grocery store gift cards for low-income families and individuals. (Photo submitted)
Vegetation work to be conducted on the Rail Trail between Coombs and Parksville. (PQB file photo)

Coombs-to-Parksville rail trail to undergo maintenance work starting Nov. 22

Portions of trail to be closed

Vegetation work to be conducted on the Rail Trail between Coombs and Parksville. (PQB file photo)
The Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army in Parksville launched the start of its Christmas Kettle Campaign on Nov. 18. The annual fundraising drive was attended by Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns, Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne along with city councillors Marilyn Wilson and Teresa Patterson, and Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce executive director, Kim Burden, who made donations to get the ball rolling. (Michael Briones photo)

Parksville Salvation Army rings the bell to begin Christmas Kettle Campaign

Goal for 2021 is to raise $120,000

The Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army in Parksville launched the start of its Christmas Kettle Campaign on Nov. 18. The annual fundraising drive was attended by Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns, Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne along with city councillors Marilyn Wilson and Teresa Patterson, and Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce executive director, Kim Burden, who made donations to get the ball rolling. (Michael Briones photo)
The Salvation Army’s emergency response units are on the ground providing food and other items to flood victims and first responders in B.C. communities that have been impacted. (Salvation Army photo)

Salvation Army launches emergency response in support of flood victims

Agency on front lines in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kamloops and Kelowna

The Salvation Army’s emergency response units are on the ground providing food and other items to flood victims and first responders in B.C. communities that have been impacted. (Salvation Army photo)
Despite the rain, residents take the time to donate to the annual ‘Fill the Boots for Food Drive’ fundraiser for that was set up the Parksville Fire Department volunteers at Quality Foods in Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)

Parksville Fire Department’s ‘Fill the Boots’ campaign collects more than $93K

Money donated to Salvation Army Food Bank, toys to SOS

Despite the rain, residents take the time to donate to the annual ‘Fill the Boots for Food Drive’ fundraiser for that was set up the Parksville Fire Department volunteers at Quality Foods in Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)
Bonnie Brown, business manager of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: Talking Christmas with Bonnie Brown of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army

Podcast: Fundraising initiatives underway in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Bonnie Brown, business manager of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)
The SOS Christmas program provides grocery store gift cards so families and individuals can choose food that has special meaning to them during the holidays. Parents and grandparents can also access the program to get Christmas gifts for their children. (Submitted photo)

SOS Christmas program ensures PQB residents experience joy during the holidays

Gift card provides single mom with feeling of ‘incredible relief’

The SOS Christmas program provides grocery store gift cards so families and individuals can choose food that has special meaning to them during the holidays. Parents and grandparents can also access the program to get Christmas gifts for their children. (Submitted photo)