North Shore residents continue to amaze me with their dedication to causes close to their hearts.
As editor of the North Shore News' Live section (devoted to keeping readers up-to-date on all the health, wellness and active living initiatives happening in North and West Vancouver), my inbox and voicemail are continually overflowing with notes and messages about people taking time out of their busy days to do something to better the lives of others. It's a continued source of inspiration for me, and I hope for you as well.
So, keep those emails and phone calls coming, and in the meantime, here's a rundown of events and activities your neighbours hope you'll support in the coming weeks.
2014 Variety Car Rally for Kids with Special Needs
Next weekend, May 23-24, participants will embark on a twoday adventure, described as a highend scavenger hunt meets Amazing Race-style fundraiser complete with luxury vehicles and celebrities, as a means of raising funds for Variety -The Children's Charity. Team In It To Win It, comprised of North Shore residents Janelle Washington, Natallie Doman, Heidi Coglon, Tara Haddad and Linda Getz, along with Christie King and Eleu Kruse, have so far raised more than $53,000 for the cause. varietyrallyforkids.com
WOMAN2WARRIOR
A women's only charity obstacle adventure race, dubbed WOMAN2WARRIOR, is being held Sunday, May 25 at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. The event is presented by the B.C. Lions Society for Children with Disabilities to raise funds to benefit their Easter Seals Camping Program for children with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
North Vancouver's Amy Kleckner, events coordinator for Easter Seals B.C./Yukon, is among those encouraging local women to register for the non-timed team or individual five-kilometre run featuring obstacles putting participants' strength, agility, balance, and sense of adventure to the test. woman2warrior.ca
That's Just Crazy Talk
Internationally acclaimed mental health educator and actor Victoria Maxwell will take the Kay Meek Centre stage for a solo show, entitled That's Just Crazy Talk, Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. The show, written by Maxwell, is based on a true story and describes one woman's journey of coming to terms with mental illness within herself and in her family. The work is intended to look at both the light and dark sides of living with bipolar disorder, anxiety and psychosis.
Maxwell's performance will be preceded by a wine and cheese reception and silent auction, and a panel discussion will follow. Proceeds will support the Canadian Mental Health Association's North and West Vancouver branch (northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca). For tickets, $30/$20, visit kaymeekcentre.com.
Children's Charity Classic Golf Tournament
Carson Graham secondary's Andrew Westerlund, 14, has been named a youth ambassador for the Children's Organ Transplant Society. The Grade 8 student was selected to represent the B.C. charity, dedicated to supporting children and their families who are going through the organ transplant journey, for displaying resilience and determination in the wake of recent heart transplant surgery.
One of Westerlund's first jobs as an ambassador will be to represent the society at the annual Children's Charity Classic Golf Tournament, which it is co-hosting with the Starlight Children's Foundation, Thursday, May 22 at Quilchena Golf Country Club in Richmond. childrensots.org childrenscharityclassicgolf.com
2014 Rotary Ride for Rescue: Cypress Mountain Hill Climb
The fourth annual Rotary Ride for Rescue: Cypress Mountain Hill Climb is being held June 7 at 8:30 a.m. Participants will be tasked with riding up Cypress Mountain, beginning at the junction of Cypress Bowl Road and Cypress Lane, and finishing at the Cypress Mountain Lodge. New this year are two course options, one on the road and the other on mountain bike trails.
Proceeds will support North Shore Rescue (this year's event is being dedicated to Tim Jones) and other Rotary projects. rotaryrideforrescue.org
North Shore Relay for Life
Community members are invited to start a team with family, friends or co-workers to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society by participating in the annual North Shore Relay for Life. This year's event, a non-competitive, 12-hour festival-like experience dedicated to fighting cancer, is being held June 7 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at North Vancouver's Mahon Park. Registration: $20. relayforlife.ca/NorthShoreBC
