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Business notes: Island Savings celebrates assistance to Big Brothers Big Sisters

It was also announced at the event that a significant financial milestone has been reached
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Officials from Island Savings, three Big Brothers Big Sisters’ agencies on Vancouver Island and local dignitaries gathered in Duncan on Sept. 15 to celebrate eight years of partnership, and a total of $500,000 donated to the three agencies by Island Savings over that time to help fund programs. (Submitted photo)

Island Savings and all three Big Brothers Big Sisters’ agencies on Vancouver Island gathered in Duncan on Sept. 15 to celebrate eight years of partnership

It was also announced at the event that a significant financial milestone has been reached; a total of $500,000 in cumulative financial support provided by Island Savings to the organizations, including BBBS of the Cowichan Valley.

Since the partnership began in 2010, the agencies have been able to match more than 1,200 children to a positive caring mentor through their in-school mentoring program.

For one hour a week, mentors meet with their mentee and engage in activities such as board games, crafts or simply hanging out on school grounds.

“The In-School mentoring program provides children and youth with early-life interventions,” said Erin Generous, executive director at BBBS of the Cowichan Valley.

“Together with Island Savings, we are investing in the bright futures of local children and youth and building a better tomorrow for our community. The support of local organizations is instrumental in our ability to increase the number of children matched with a caring and positive mentor.”

Noodlebox Canada doing a day of fundraising for CMHA

All locations of Noodlebox Canada, including the one in Duncan, will participate in a day of fundraising on Sept. 19, with 50 per cent of the day’s proceeds to be donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Charity Day at Noodlebox locations is held every September, and over the years, has raised more than $45,000 for the CMHA.

Noodlebox hopes to surpass last year’s daily total of $20,000, and customers are encouraged to visit their local Noodlebox to enjoy a meal while giving back.

“Thanks to Noodlebox’s Charity Day, last September our CMHA BC Division-Victoria office was able to partner with the Mental Health Commission of Canada and offer two youth anti-stigma summits to eight local high schools in January of this year,” said Jocelyn de Montmorency, CMHA’s Victoria program manager.

“We are grateful for the funds as we continue our work with youth and the Mental Health Commission this fall.”

Get ready to smile at Tim Hortons Sept. 17-23

Tim Hortons’ annual Smile Cookie campaign returns from Sept. 17-23, supporting local charities and organizations in communities across the country.

For one week only, Tim Hortons’ customers will be able to purchase the restaurant’s signature chocolate chunk cookies, decorated with blue eyes and a cheerful pink smile, for $1 at participating restaurants.

The full $1 from each Smile Cookie will be donated by Tim Hortons restaurant owners to a local charity, hospital or community program that they have selected.

Last year, the campaign raised more than $6.5 million.

“The magic of the Smile Cookie is that there is a real smile of a Canadian individual benefiting behind each and every one,” says Alex Macedo, president of Tim Hortons.

“We are incredibly proud and deeply appreciative of what our restaurant owners and guests accomplish together each year with this program, raising millions of dollars to help those who need it most through donations to charities from coast-to-coast.”

ETHOS offering free youth job search skills training

ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd. is offering free Job Search Skills training for youth living in the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Nanaimo Regional District and Port Alberni.

During six weeks of virtual classroom, consisting of webinars and one-to-one counselling sessions, participants of ETHOS’s TechWORKS for Youth program will access professional training in job search skills and career development.

Participants will have the opportunity to grow and utilize their existing skill set by making a personal digital career portfolio, and by tackling additional IT projects as desired.

The program is 100 per cent online, so participants can work anywhere with Internet access and a webcam.

TechWORKS offers youth ages 15-29, who are unemployed, underemployed, employed and low skilled, or employed and in transition, a chance to work with a team of career experts.

Participants may receive a participant allowance for attendance and funding for additional certificate training.

Applications are now being accepted for the next intake, which begins Oct. 1.

For more information or to register, contact Renae Hygh at 250-741-8116 ext. 21, toll free at 1-877-714-0471, email at twy@ethoscmg.com, or visit www.ethoscmg.com/techworks.

Nominate a family business for an excellence award

The Family Business Association Vancouver Island is putting out a call to recognize the best in the business.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Family Business Excellence Award and the Young Entrepreneur Award.

The FBE Award is given annually by FBAVI to recognize, celebrate and promote achievements of Vancouver Island family businesses and the considerable contribution they make to both their local communities and our national economy.

The Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes an outstanding young leader in the family business.

To nominate a family business or young entrepreneur, (self-nominations are welcome) visit the FBAVI Website at www.familybusinessassociationvi.ca, or contact executive director Bernadine Rudichuk at 250-532-2402 or info@fbavancouverisland.ca.

Tourism Cowichan holding annual general meeting

Tourism Cowichan will hold its AGM on Sept. 20, beginning at 4 p.m.

Attendees will learn what Tourism Cowichan is doing to promote the region, and how they can be a part of the success.

The AGM will begin with appetizers and drinks, and participants will have the opportunity to meet Miranda Thorne, Tourism Cowichan’s executive director, and her team.

This will be followed by a thorough briefing on the organization’s upcoming plans for the coming year.

The AGM will be held at Vancouver Island University, Cowichan Campus, Room 135/140.

Please RVSP to info@tourismcowichan.com.



Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
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