Dec 10 - Congrats on being so generous

Good morning !

GoFundMe campaigns seem to be ubiquitous these days. And here in Victoria, we take part in a lot of them. That’s our first story of the day.
A little further into this morning’s read is a story about a sailor who went overboard about 20km south of here, prompting a major rescue operation.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 12 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 10 / 7

Friday: 🌧️ 10 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

Go figure: GoFundMe names Victoria the most generous community in Canada

Relying on data from its own platform, GoFundMe has named the Garden City the most generous community in Canada—for the third year in a row. 

The community-powered fundraising platform bases its findings on the number of unique donors per capita.
It said there were approximately 18,500 GoFundMe donors in Victoria this year. Based on a population of 92K, Victoria’s donors per capita rate for this platform was 20.21%—or one in five people.

While hardly providing a complete picture of overall community generosity, it indicates that the charitable spirit is alive and well in these parts.

Say what you want about these stats—and the possibility that some organizations outside the region may lump the entire CRD under the Victoria toponym. But individually, these campaigns can be life-changing.

2 of the more effective Victoria-area campaigns

In October, Saanich’s Adam Trimm ran the Royal Victoria Half-Marathon to honour his friend and colleague Derek, who is living with ALS. That GoFundMe campaign has raised 101K+ to date.

Five years ago, manager Claudia Laube set up a GoFundMe to keep things going at the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. That drive has surpassed $183K and, like the farm’s goats, alpacas, and donkeys, the campaign is still kicking. 

The company said seven of its Top 10 donor cities in Canada are in BC, with North Vancouver and Vancouver placing 2-3.

 GoFundMe’s most generous communities in Canada:

• Victoria

• North Vancouver, BC

• Vancouver

• St. John’s, NL

• New Westminster, BC

• Kamloops, BC

• Fredericton, NB

• Thunder Bay, Ont.

• Port Coquitlam, BC

• Kelowna, BC 

Some factoids about these widespread GoFundMe campaigns

Canada is the fifth most generous country by donors per capita.
It’s Ireland, the US, the UK, and Australia, one through four. And that’s seven straight years at the top of the table for the Irish.

GoFundMe said this year it handled 79 million donations—47 million to individual fundraisers and 32 million to nonprofits.
The community-powered fundraising platform said it has helped raise more than US$40 billion since its 2010 inception in San Diego.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Recall: J C Green Cannabis pre-rolls contain less THC and CBD than labels suggest. [CFIA]

Recall: McCain Tasti Taters brand Crispy Potato Bites due to pieces of plastic. [CFIA]

Calling all local authors and illustrators: Greater Victoria Public Library is taking submissions for the 2026 Emerging Local Authors Collection.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Feds swing $330K to Victoria Jazz Society

Best known for running the TD Victoria International JazzFest and the Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival, the VJS will receive the $330K over three years.

The funding, provided through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, will support programming from 2026 to 2029. 
That includes an additional concert series—running from September to May—that highlights new and diverse Canadian talent, including Indigenous and francophone performers.
The VJS also runs music education workshops and provides an annual scholarship for post-secondary jazz studies.

Marc Miller, minister of Canadian identity and culture, said the funding will support “the richness of Victoria's live arts scene” and connect audiences with artists from all kinds of backgrounds.

"When we invest in our culture, we invest in ourselves,” Miller said in a release. 

The VJS has been operating since 1981, and is one of the oldest and largest professional presenters of jazz and blues music on the Island. 

The society’s founder, Darryl Mar, called the funding vital for the VJS to fulfill its mission, which he says is to bring big-name performers and local acts to the city through accessible and affordable shows.
JazzFest is scheduled for June 19-28. The dates for the Harbour Blues 'n Roots Fest are yet to come.

SPONSORED BY THE BUTCHART GARDENS

Christmas traditions start at The Butchart Gardens

Step into a world of wonder this holiday season at The Butchart Gardens, where the Magic of Christmas comes alive. Stroll through enchanting pathways illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights, as the gardens are transformed into a festive masterpiece. Sing along to carols, sip warm hot chocolate, skate underneath the stars, and marvel at the Twelve Days of Christmas displays.

The Gardens will be open 3pm to 9pm, with viewing until 10pm. Reserve your date and time here.

The Dining Room Restaurant will be open for Holiday High Tea from 2:45pm to 3:30pm, followed by dinner from 5pm to 8pm. Reservations are highly recommended. The Blue Poppy Restaurant will be open from 4pm to 8pm for the Christmas Season.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌱 Remove Invasive Ivy with friends at Dickson Woods in North Saanich on Saturday, 9:45am-1pm.

🎶 Celebrate the season with Heather Ferguson’s soulful blend of Christmas carols and originals at The Coda tomorrow at 7pm. Bring the festivities!*

🧦Blue Stockings: A play about women and their choices. [Tomorrow-Sunday]

🎄"I saw it on opening night and haven’t laughed so hard in ages!" Little Dickens continues at the Belfry Theatre until Dec. 21.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY THE VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Capital region charities deliver $5.4 billion in annual economic activity

A new report shows the capital region's civil society sector now contributes the same amount economically as the technology sector in Greater Victoria. It also supports 60,600 full-time jobs and delivers more than $366 million in municipal taxes.

Belonging begins with civil society. Read all the new findings here!

🗞️ In Other News

Man overboard: RCN sailor rescued near Bentinck Island
The Royal Canadian Navy mariner is recovering after spending more than two hours in the water. The seaman, who was wearing a protective dry suit in the 10 C water, was riding in a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) on Monday afternoon when he fell overboard near Albert Head. With high winds kicking up heavy swells, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Victoria launched a full-scale response: Cyclone and Cormorant helicopters, a Kingfisher fixed-wing airplane, several Canadian Coast Guard vessels—including HMCS Regina—and a US chopper all joined the search-and-rescue operation. [CHEK]

Langford fast-tracks $2M+ expansion of Veterans Memorial Park
This week, the city approved a $2.65M plan to nearly double the park’s size—expanding 1.35 acres (0.55 ha)—as part of its budget. There’s still no approved final design, but the expansion is expected to include a bandshell, picnic areas, an upgraded washroom, and more parks and pathways. A portion of Aldwynd Road will be closed to integrate the land into the existing park. The approved plan would allow work to begin in the spring, with a completion target of late next year. [Times Colonist]

View Royal considers booting short-term rental restrictions for soccer’s World Cup
VR’s city council is doing more than kicking around the idea—it has directed staff to examine the impacts of temporarily punting the town’s short-term rental ban to help draw international footy fans to the area. Coun. Don Brown introduced the motion. He says not only would it bring business to bars and restaurants during next summer’s FIFA soccer spectacular, but it could also serve as a test of possible changes to VR’s short-term rental rules. The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with seven games slated for Vancouver and six set for Seattle. [Black Press] 

SPONSORED BY BC DAIRY

Championing farmers, from field to market

Jessica Piccinin’s journey from raising a beloved Berkshire sow to defending BC’s farmers is as inspiring as it is urgent. Burned out from farming but driven to protect local food, she now champions producers, markets, and butchers across the Kootenays. Meet the advocate reshaping how communities feed themselves.

🗓️ Things To Do

🍽️ Schnitzel Night: Enjoy a traditional German dinner of schnitzel or bratwurst with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, and dessert alongside entertainment by Edelweiss dancers. Victoria Edelweiss Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm, dinner 6pm. [Info]

🎄Holiday Ornament Paint Night: Create one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments with step-by-step guidance, all materials included, plus a welcome beverage and full menu available. Ryes & Shine Craft Distillery. Today. 6-8:30pm. [Info]

🎁 An Upside Christmas: The Upside Guys host an evening featuring world-renowned pianist Michael Kaeshammer, Juno winner Colin James, Miina, and Jason Verners. Proceeds support Island Families. McPherson Playhouse. Today. 7:30pm. [Info]

📻️ The Debaters: CBC Radio's The Debaters celebrates 20 years with host Steve Patterson and debaters Deborah Kimmett and Matt Wright delivering standup comedy and joke-filled debates. Royal Theatre. Today. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎶 The Choral Evolution Sooke Christmas Sing-Along: A concert in support of Sooke Food Bank and Annie's Place (Sooke Transition House). Admission is by cash donation. Edward Milne Community Theatre. Saturday. 7pm. [Info]

🍜 Cozy Christmas Food Tour: Indulge in the season’s best holiday-themed food and visit local shops to pick up that perfect gift. A fun, delicious, and stress-free way to get in the holiday spirit. Starts at the Steamship Terminal Building. Thursday-Sunday until Dec. 31. 1:30-4pm. [Info]

🏒🧸 Teddy Bear Toss Night: Vancouver Giants at Victoria Royals. Fans are invited to buy or bring new stuffed animals to toss onto the ice when the Royals score their first goal. Save on Foods Memorial Centre. Friday. 7:05pm. [Info]

🎭 Dangerous Beauty: The Prints of Albrecht Dürer. Selected prints from Dürer (1471-1528) showcase the artist’s extraordinary skill as a printmaker and his fascination with dramatic subjects centred on danger. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Opens Saturday. Runs to May 3. [Info]

🎄🍾 Christmas Tree Chip and Bottle Drive: Drop off your tree and bottles and help support the LakeHill Legends U-15 softball team. Ambassador Park. Jan. 3. 9:30am-2:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: 4 more arrested at Walbran Valley blockade; Victoria to review noise bylaw; Mount Underwood Fire declared out after 3+ months. [Dec. 9]

Heavy rain and high stream flow advisory in place for all of Vancouver Island. [BC Gov’t]

Storm fells Garry oak on Saanich home, displaces family of 6. [CHEK]

Vancouver Island map adds a 3D element and more details. [Times Colonist]

Live outdoor Christmas nativity pageant. [Dec. 21-23]

Holiday Lego Exhibit opened yesterday at Westshore Town Centre. [Through Dec. 21]

That’s it!

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