Heroes

Resilience on the Waves: Shawn’s Journey with The Salvation Army

Posted on 28th February 2024, by britishcolumbia
Shawn Garbutt’s journey is a testament to the power of love and resilience. Amidst Canada’s soaring inflation and housing insecurities, Shawn found himself struggling to make ends meet. Opting to live on a boat to escape skyrocketing rental prices, he faced the harsh realities of financial strain and uncertainty. But among the darkness, a glimmer  […]

Coming Together During Our Worst Disaster

Posted on 28th January 2022, by British Columbia
This year, B.C. faced one of the most devastating natural disasters in our history. Communities in the Fraser Valley were devasted by floods that submerged farmlands, killed livestock in the thousands, washed away bridges, destroyed highways, and sadly claimed the lives of family members. The flood is the most costly disaster we have ever experienced  […]

Meet the Staff: John McEwan, Divisional Emergency Disaster Services Director

Posted on 24th January 2019, by British Columbia
John McEwan with award for Disaster Services
In October 2018, John McEwan received the Marie Rogan Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Pacific Northwest Emergency Preparedness Society at the annual Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Conference. This award recognized John’s 15 years working with Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) as the Divisional Emergency Disaster Services Director, a title he took on after 15 years with  […]

Honoring Women of History: Catherine Booth’s Legacy

Posted on 6th March 2018, by British Columbia
Catherine Booth International Womens Day
Married to William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, Catherine Booth was a woman who inspired the hearts of so many young girls to take courage, be bold in speaking out and not to be afraid of having their thoughts heard. She challenged the ‘norm’ and became a figurehead for women to look up  […]
Categories: Blog, Heroes

Oak Bay teen aims to collect 1,000 presents at annual toy drive

Posted on 17th January 2018, by British Columbia
Oak Bay teen aims to collect 1,000 presents at annual toy drive
Leah Smith was in front of the Oak Bay Avenue Pharmasave operating her annual one-girl toy drive. “This is my fourth consecutive year doing this,” explained Leah Smith. The grade 11 student from Oak Bay High School collected new and gently-used toys from the community. She will be delivering the donations to the Stan Hagen Centre  […]
Categories: Blog, Heroes

Local Woman Turns Food Waste into Help for Families in Need

Posted on 5th January 2018, by British Columbia
Woman stands in food bank holding bags of bagels
Nicole Knauf grew up in a household that just didn’t waste food; in fact, her and her siblings would joke that her dad would eat anything. As she grew older, she realized that throwing away food really was an unfortunate reality. It became more obvious when Nicole began working at bakery as a teenager, when  […]
Categories: Blog, Heroes

Local Teen Purchases Gifts for Pediatrics Unit at Comox Valley Hospital

Posted on 2nd January 2018, by British Columbia
Teen with staff at Comox Valley Hospital and toys displayed on a table and in a wagon
Eighteen year old Makenzie Jesse has had her fair share of hospital stays. Living with cerebral palsy, she has had over 12 surgeries in children’s hospitals across Canada and is often faced with long stays (sometimes over Christmas). It is this experience alone that has led Makenzie to help other children who are confined to  […]
Categories: Blog, Heroes

BC Sikh Organizations Collect Toys for Families in Need

Posted on 18th December 2017, by British Columbia
The holiday season is a great time to come together and make this Christmas special for families in your community. A fantastic example of community coming together is the Toys for Kids campaign by the Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen and Sikh Academy Elementary, who are encouraging the Sikh community to collect and donate toys to  […]
Categories: Blog, Heroes