For one night this November I will be sleeping outside in downtown Vancouver so that 54 youth don’t have to.
The annual Covenant Sleep Out will take place Thursday, November 21, 2013 and will involve executives, public figures and well-connected leaders in our community who will sleep outside for one night in solidarity with those youth who may face many more cold, lonely nights until they find their way through Covenant House’s doors.
From Anchorage to New York, Toronto to New Orleans and in other major cities across North America, participants will raise funds from their companies, colleagues, friends and family to support the life-changing work that is being done to help young people leave the streets and begin new lives. These leaders will draw the attention of the larger business community and our nation to the problem of homelessness among young people.
Many of us come face to face with homelessness every day in Metro Vancouver. Homelessness can look like a young person sleeping in a doorway, other times it might be someone asking you to spare some change. Often it shows itself as a shared glance from a broken soul. Regardless of how we are reminded of the need, a common feeling often resonates: what can I do to help make this better? Here is your chance to make a difference—from the frontlines!
Covenant House invited me to take part and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Ever since I began my blog, I have used it to promote local causes, non-profits, and campaigns by whatever means I could. Whether it was through a blog post, an event listing, or a grand campaign like Blogathon or Twestival. The least I could do this season is to spend one night outside, so that someone else doesn’t have to.
Covenant House’s Mission: “Providing love and hope to Vancouver’s street youth. We help youth aged 16 – 24 who have fled physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, those who have been forced from their homes or those who have aged out of foster care.”
If you would like to support my Covenant House Sleep Out campaign, please consider an online donation through my personal fundraising page. From now until the end of October, each donation I receive will be doubled by an anonymous donor. The amount will be added to the overall event total at the beginning of November.
Thank you for your support! Follow Covenant House on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about their work in Vancouver.
Looking at the forecast, this is our last day of colourful fall sunshine for a little while and it was glorious while it lasted. Although Vancouver was blanketed with fog mid-October, it settled us in for a cozy season and afforded many photographers and videographers the opportunity to capture some amazing Vancouver fog videos and photos.
Here are just a few videos that have been sent my way over the last week that showcase the beautifully quiet clouds that enveloped us for days.
Kudos to the photographers and videograhers who camped out above the clouds to get all of these shots. Check out these photo collections of Vancouver fog from December 2009, January 2013, and October 2013 for more incredible images.
The Circle Craft Christmas Market is coming up next week at the Vancouver Convention Centre, getting you ready for the winter season from Thursday, November 7th through Monday, November 11th.
Over 300 artisans from coast to coast will come together for the 40th Annual Circle Craft Christmas Market. With artisans, artists, and crafters from all disciplines, including pottery, wood, glass, metal, fibre, fashion, jewellery, and more, there will be much to explore!
In addition to all of the talented exhibitors there will be live entertainment, a fashion show, delicious treats and confections.
Visit the Circle Craft Christmas Market at Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place) on Thursday, November 7th from 10:00am to 9:00pm; Friday, November 8th from 10:00am to 9:00pm; Saturday, November 9th from 10:00am to 9:00pm; Sunday, November 10th from 10:00am to 7:00pm; Monday, November 11th from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Tickets are available for purchase in advance and you can save $2 when you buy online.
Circle Craft Christmas Market Contest
I have a pair of tickets to give away to the Circle Craft Christmas Market next week, here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win tickets to @CircleCraft Christmas Market from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/qigFa
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, November 4, 2013. Follow Circle Craft on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about the co-op, their space on Granville Island and of course the Christmas market.
Starting Saturday, November 2, 2013 you can once again shop for local ingredients at the winter farmers market at Nat Bailey Stadium‘s parking lot. Regional producers will be selling the best of the season from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays through to April 26, 2014.
Over 135 vendors will be participating over the course of the season with 60-75 attending each week. There will also be up to 10 different food trucks each week and a new Christmas tree vendor offering locally-grown, Salmon Safe Certified trees in November and December.
Stop by the east parking lot of Nat Bailey Stadium at 30th and Ontario to check out the winter farmers market this Saturday and over the next few months.
You can also enjoy and shop at the Yaletown Farmers Market on Thursdays until December 19, 2013. The market on Mainland, between Davie and Helmcken at the Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line Stop runs from 12:00pm to 4:00pm each week.
Halloween is just around the corner as kids carefully prepare their costumes, families carve pumpkins, and parents prepare for the influx of sweet and sugary treats. The BC Children’s Hospital published some helpful tips on staying safe this season that I am happy to pass along:
Be Seen: Costume shopping – Help kids pick out costumes that fit properly, keep them warm and are bright. You want your children to be comfortable and visible to other trick-or-treaters and drivers on Halloween night.
Be Safe: Supervised trick-or-treating – Make sure your children have a responsible adult to accompany them on their trick-or-treating adventure. Skip houses that don’t have lights on and don’t approach unfamiliar animals.
Be Creative: Pumpkin art – Encourage young children to decorate or draw on their Halloween pumpkins. Young children shouldn’t use knives or sharp tools. Use a flashlight or other battery light instead of candles.
Be Cautious: Candy checks – Children get excited about their candy hauls; keep them happy hauls by checking their treats before they eat them. If your child brings home fruit, make sure to wash and cut before eating. Avoid choking hazards for children under five by removing treats like hard candy, popcorn, and nuts.
Be Vigilant: Halloween driving – watch for children at crosswalks and for trick-or-treaters darting into the road.
Follow the BC Children’s Hospital on Twitter and Facebook for more tips this season. If you are dealing with fireworks (and have a permit, and are 19+), be sure to read Halloween Fireworks Permit and Safety Tips from the City of Vancouver as well for October 31st.
