Hope Honoured at Victoria’s William and Catherine Booth Society Luncheon
Community members and Salvation Army supporters gathered at The Union Club of British Columbia in Victoria on May 27 for the William and Catherine Booth Society Luncheon, an afternoon that celebrated generosity, resilience and the power of giving.
Lieut.-Colonel Tiffany Marshall, divisional commander of The Salvation Army British Columbia Division, welcomed guests and reflected on the reach of the Army’s work across Vancouver Island, from food banks to shelter services to addiction recovery programs.
The Greater Victoria Advisory Board was proudly represented, with board chair Bruce Donaldson, members Bruce Hallsor, April Dorey Hartwig, Gordon Pierik and Nichola Wade, and lifetime member Barbara Housser in attendance. Also joining that day was longtime board member Grace Van den Brink. In the months since the luncheon, Grace passed away, but her steady presence and compassion left a lasting mark on the Army’s mission, and her legacy of caring will not be forgotten.
The board’s presence was a reminder that leadership means leading by example, whether through financial generosity or through the gifts of time and service.
The heart of the afternoon belonged to Steven Hrynevich, whose journey from addiction to recovery through The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light program moved the room.
“Had it not been for The Salvation Army’s dedication, devotion and care, I wouldn’t be here today,” Steven shared. Now a major gift and legacy donor, Steven was presented with the Hero for Hope Award for his courage and generosity, including his sponsorship of the event itself.
Jonathan Hopkins, executive director of the Victoria Addictions Rehabilitation Centre, closed the program with a keynote address on hope, healing and community, echoing the same truth Steven’s story revealed: giving, in any form, changes lives.
