1 day 'Life or Death': Islanders raise money for breast milk bank in war-torn Ukraine For the last two years, a group of Vancouver Islanders has been doing what it can to help people in war-torn Ukraine, and they now need your help to set up a breast milk bank for the sky-rocketing number of premature babies now being born there. Tess van Straaten has the details in this week's Vital People.
1 week Persistent Pest: Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society volunteers battle broom Scotch broom is an invasive and persistent pest on Vancouver Island, but this week, volunteers in Sooke descended on Whiffin Spit to battle the broom.
2 weeks Ronald McDonald House is a 'home away from home' for Vancouver Island families with sick kids Hundreds of Vancouver Island families stay at Ronald McDonald House each year while their children are getting treatment at BC Children's Hospital. But it's almost always at capacity, and some families are being turned away.
3 weeks Volunteers at St. Andrew's Church in Sidney dish up nourishment for the body and the soul For more than 20 years, volunteers in Sidney have been serving up soup once a week. The neighbours' lunch builds connection and community for seniors and people of all ages.
4 weeks Vital People: Wounded Warrior Run raises awareness about PTSD Eight runners will embark on an eight-day, 800-kilometre trek from Port Hardy to Victoria next weekend. The Wounded Warrior Run raises money and awareness for first responders and military suffering from PTSD and other on-the-job trauma. In this week's Vital People, Tess van Straaten has more on the epic run and the participants' reasons for taking part.
1 month Pay it Forward: Random Acts of Kindness Day is now a full week in Victoria Random acts of kindness can brighten someone's day, so instead of just having it be one day this year, the Victoria Foundation is encouraging people to take part in Random Acts of Kindness week Feb. 12-17. In this week's Vital People, Tess van Straaten shows us how people can pay it forward.
1 month 'I love the fresh air!': Cycling Without Age volunteers get seniors out for rides We all know how important connection and getting out in the community is, but for people in long-term care, it can be difficult. That's where the Cycling Without Age program comes in. Volunteers take residents out for rides as passengers in a special cargo bike called a Trishaw and as Tess van Straaten shows us in this week's Vital People, they need your help to keep things rolling.
2 months 'Without them I wouldn't be here today': How the Oasis Society helps vulnerable Indigenous people Homelessness is a growing issue on Vancouver Island and Indigenous people are often disproportionately affected. But the Oasis Society is working to help vulnerable Indigenous people living on the streets of Greater Victoria have a better life. Tess van Straaten has the details in this week's Vital People.
2 months 'Sometimes you get really emotional': Soap for Hope volunteers on making a difference Soap is something most of us probably take for granted, but many people can't afford to buy it. That's where Soap for Hope Canada comes in — diverting soap, shampoo bottles, and other hygiene products from the landfill to help those in need here at home and around the globe. Tess van Straaten takes a look in this week's Vital People.
2 months 'It can be very isolating': How Victoria's single parent resource centre is helping With inflation and the high cost of food and housing, many dual-income families are struggling so it's even tougher for single parents. But the 1 Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre is doing all it can to help.
3 months We've profiled more than 100 amazing people on Vital People in 2023 The youngest — who is just seven-years-old — has been in and out of hospital. But despite her struggles, all she wanted to do was help other kids, and that's why Jamie-Lynn is our Vital Person of the Year. Tess van Straaten has her story.
3 months Vital People: Greater Victoria boy spreads Christmas cheer one carol at time WATCH: A young Sidney boy is spreading holiday cheer and raising money for those in need one Christmas carol at a time. Tess van Straaten reports.
2 months 'It can be very isolating': How Victoria's single parent resource centre is helping With inflation and the high cost of food and housing, many dual-income families are struggling so it's even tougher for single parents.
2 months Victoria arts non-profit looking for fundraising help As a creative reuse centre, SUPPLY Victoria's mission is to divert materials from the landfill and put them into the hands of artists, students, and teachers.
3 months Vital People: Greater Victoria boy spreads Christmas cheer one carol at time WATCH: A young Sidney boy is spreading holiday cheer and raising money for those in need one Christmas carol at a time. Tess van Straaten reports.
3 months Sole Sisters look to give back to women in shelters ahead of holidays The Sole Sisters are helping women fleeing domestic violence ahead of the holidays by creating 50 grab-and-go bags.
3 months Vancouver Island family that lost child to cancer turning tragedy into something positive The Comboyes started the first Canadian chapter of the Cure Starts Now to help fund pediatric brain cancer research. Tess van Straaten has more.
4 months 'Altruistic organ donors are phenomenal': Victoria man donates part of his liver to a stranger VITAL PEOPLE: Hundreds of Canadians die each year waiting for transplants. But as Tess van Straaten shows us, living organ donors can save countless lives.
4 months Vital People: Staying warm in winter with Cool Aid's 10,000 socks campaign The staff at Kia Victoria are excited to be helping with the Victoria Cool Aid Society's annual 10,000 socks campaign. "It was a no-brainer for us living in this community and being part of this[...]
4 months Vital People: Dance Victoria Nutcracker tickets for families in need Dance Victoria helps Ukrainians new to Victoria with tickets to Ukrainian Shumka Dancers' Nutcracker. Here's Tess van Straaten.
58 mins Lawyer says 'tsunami' of Indigenous identity fraud already playing out in criminal courts Convicted criminals are suddenly claiming Indigenous heritage for the purpose of lowered sentences. Who is responsible for finding the truth?
1 hour Community working group, job opportunities could come to Victoria's Caledonia Place Victoria councillors will soon decide if a community working group, which would help ease concerns for residents in and around Caledonia Place, will come to fruition.
2 hours Province taking steps ahead of what could be another busy wildfire season More planes and helicopters will fight the fires as new technology is also employed to predict the movement of wildfires.
2 hours Greater Victoria man turns 105, raises more than $450K for charity A Greater Victoria man marked a milestone on Monday as he turned 105 years old, but what's more impressive is his commitment to helping children in need.