Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced that Covenant House Vancouver will be the club’s new 50/50 fundraising program partner. All proceeds from the 50/50 program at Whitecaps FC home matches during the 2020 season will be donated to improve the lives of Vancouver’s homeless and at-risk youth.
Whitecaps FC partner with Covenant House Vancouver for 50/50
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver’s purpose has been to serve all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and to protect and safeguard all youth in need. The organization’s Continuum of Care model includes a daily drop-in centre, a 63-bed residential crisis program, transitional living resources, life-skills training, and substance and mental health support.
“Covenant House Vancouver is honoured to have been chosen as the 50/50 program recipient,” said Allison Briggs, development officer of community giving for Covenant House Vancouver. “The 50/50 program donations will directly impact youth who are either at-risk or experiencing homelessness in our community. This funding will ensure young people’s immediate needs are met; having a warm bed, nutritious food, access to counselling and so much more. All of us at Covenant House Vancouver are incredibly grateful for the support from Vancouver Whitecaps FC and their dedicated fans.”
Whitecaps FC have participated in various Covenant House Vancouver initiatives throughout the years. Players, executives and staff have participated in several Sleep Out events, spending a night on the street to demonstrate their commitment to alleviating homelessness. The club has also hosted an annual #BuckUp for Mental Health campaign to raise funds via raffles, auctions and donations. As a result of the club’s community efforts, well over $335,000 has been donated to Covenant House Vancouver to date.
I’ve spent some of my most miserable nights at Covenant House, so that youth don’t have to. When you’re trying to sleep on a piece of cardboard in a back alley Downtown while freezing rain pelts down on your cheeks, many thoughts go through your head. I thought about Covenant House’s crisis program, community support services, and how they life up youth through their Right of Passage Program. I also thought about the hot coffee that they would be serving at 5:00am when us Sleep Out participants could pack up and go home after the campaign.
How fortunate we were to get up and go home, and how one night could make such a big difference (raising over $300,000 for the cause). I’ll never forget one night we did the sleep out and a Covenant House youth felt bad for us, she brought her own blanket downstairs to give to us. That is compassion. It’s contagious.
I’m thrilled to not only be a season ticket holder of the Whitecaps (since 2011) but to support Covenant House through the 50/50 at matches this season. See you at BC Place!
Do you own a business in New Westminster? You could get a big boost in this year’s Level-Up My Brand contest by winning up to $18,000 of value-in-kind of marketing, branding services and prizes.
New Westminster has a special place in my heart, having spent every Sunday in Sapperton in my formative years. It’s been incredible to see the city grow and evolve over the last few decades. Initiatives like this are a big help!
Level-Up My Brand in New Westminster
Included in the list of prizes is a personal lunch with Jonathon Cote, Mayor of New Westminster; branding sessions; web design; vehicle wraps; personalized promotional items; signage; financial advice and videography services.
Free to enter, New Westminster based businesses of all sizes are encouraged to enter online by February 29, 2020. Winners will be announced on April 1, 2020 at a gala event at 100 Braid Street, where 10 entrants will compete in a trade show for the final prize.
First-year Level-Up My Brand winner saw Stefania Butkovic of Mindful Mutts winning a $12,000 prize over the 30 entries received. “Winning Level-Up My Brand helped bring me more clients than I could even handle!” says Stefania Butkovic, Mindful Mutts. “And that’s a good thing! Winning this prize landed me first media attention with the local newspaper. Plus, signage I could never afford and professional services I can’t even believe I lived without.”
2020 Level-Up My Brand Prizes Include over $18,000 in value-in-kind prizes and services only (no cash):
Lunch with the Mayor of New Westminster, Jonathan Cote (priceless)
Branding audit from Webb Creative ($1,000 value)
Vehicle wrap/vinyl signage by Canawrap ($500 value)
Storybrand Script Consultation by Jon Glen Branding & Marketing Consultant ($2,000 value)
Promotional product (swag) package from Patterson Brands ($2,500 value)
Print/Digital Advertising from New West Record ($2,500 value)
Purpose discovery, design philosophy and brand voice consultation from WestCoast Brand Management ($2,000 value)
Video production from Crow Motel ($2,000 value)
Website audit and planning from Hutzalak Consulting ($1,000 value)
Accounting consultation with Seymour Gardner Accounting ($500 value)
Print and packaging services from Glenmore Printing ($750 value)
New Westminster Chamber of Commerce membership for any size business plus unlimited access to all events for one person (approximate $2,000 value)
Office party package from Amaranthus and Steel & Oak ($750 value)
Level-Up My Brand was created by Rich Patterson, Patterson Brands and Katherine and Matt Webb of Webb Creative in 2018 to help support the local New Westminster business community. Follow the Level-Up campaign on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more info.
Boone Dog Productions presents playwright Robert Harling’s warm and witty Steel Magnolias opening February 14th on Granville Island. Featuring an all-female collective of Vancouver-based performers, this beloved story of camaraderie and fierce loyalty epitomizes Southern charm and unwavering strength in the face of triumphs and tragedies.
Steel Magnolias by Boone Dog Productions. Photos by Rochelle Elise Photography.
Based on the life of Harling’s younger sister, Susan, who passed away due to complications from type 1 diabetes, Steel Magnolias was originally written as a short story before being adapted into a highly acclaimed off-Broadway play in 1987. Two years later, the work was made into a Hollywood film, starring cinematic heavyweights Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Darryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, and Olympia Dukakis. A box office and critical success, the film garnered Roberts both a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Field in the Best Actress category, among other accolades.
Directed by acclaimed director and producer Shel Piercy, the play features set design by Francesca Albertazzi (head of design for the hit television show Love It or List It Vancouver, set designer for three seasons of Theatre Under the Stars) and costumes by award-winning costumer Christina Sinosich (Theatre Under the Stars, Gateway Theatre).
Boone Dog Productions’ presentation of Steel Magnolias will also partner with the BC Diabetes Research Network and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Diabetes Group), in an effort to raise awareness of the need for continued research and support for type 1 diabetes in Canada.
“My colours are blush and bashful,” when my friend Marc said that to me a few months ago I had to admit to him that I had never seen Steel Magnolias, which pretty much blew his mind. Thanks to Netflix, I was able to remedy the situation in December and now I not only know key catchphrases and inside jokes, I know all about this poignant tale of strength and solidarity.
I have a pair of tickets to give away to this performance, here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to @SteelMagsVan #steelmagsvan #themaggies #steelmagnoliasvancouver http://ow.ly/8D6F30qd6ZY” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. UPDATE The winner is Bonnie!
There is a flourishingly dreamy 70 acre oceanfront estate on Vancouver Island that has been home to British aristocracy, a retreat for royalty, and as I saw last summer, even a refuge for fairies.
Fairy House at Milner Gardens
Each June, Fairy Houses magically appear at Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach, which is owned and operated by Vancouver Island University.
Milner Gardens History
Horatio “Ray” Milner was born in Sackville, New Brunswick in 1889. He attended Kings College, Nova Scotia and was graduated at age 20. He was called to the bar in 1911 after receiving a law degree from Dalhousie University. After serving in WWI, he was made Kings Counsel…As one of his many achievements, Mr. Milner was a founding director of Canadian Utilities and was instrumental in the formation and growth of the company. He was made a companion of the Order of Canada in December, 1969. Three universities awarded him honorary doctorates.
The best part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics (aside from the incredible athletic feats during the competitions) was all of the fun, FREE attractions and activities that were happening all over town. That’s why the Yaletown BIA is bringing back Illuminate Yaletown this year, with a Van2010 tribute!
Illuminate Yaletown is Downtown Vancouver’s premier arts and technology festival. Simon Sees Photography
Illuminate Yaletown Van2010 Tribute
When: February 14-15, 2020 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm Where: 1200 Block of Hamilton Street & Bill Curtis Square
Synonymous with incredible light art installations and virtual-reality experiences, Illuminate Yaletown will take place for the first time ever for two-nights, with new activations and illuminations from Vancouver-based tech giants Go2 Productions and Tangible Interaction, set to unveil installations to pay tribute to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Olympic rings will be available for guests to sit in and take photographs, and special Olympic themed cocktails mixed by participating restaurants available for the two-night celebration only.
Visitors looking to turn the two-night celebration into a stay-cation are encouraged to book in early at Yaletown hotels the Opus Hotel or Rosedale on Robson.
Notable and new installations this year include giant inflatable game pieces from Tangible Interaction, a virtual
game room by Go2 Productions, and a neon jungle perfect for selfies presented by Hfour Productions. For the
adults that are young at heart, an outdoor LED playground will transform Yaletown into a schoolyard, complete
with swings and teeter-totters. Lastly, visitors can relive the 80’s in an arcade sponsored by Soho Bar and Billards
featuring all the classics like Frogger and PacMan.
For those wanting a beverage after touring the attractions, West Oak, Banter Room, Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé, House Special, Robba da Matti, Yaletown Brewing Co. and The Distillery Bar + Kitchen will be mixing up Olympic themed cocktails to pay tribute to the 2010 Winter Olympics 10th anniversary.
