My Time at Coastal Community My name is Toni Fleming, and I am the Insurance Manager for the Duncan and Chemainus offices. I have been with Coastal Community for almost 5 years Please tell us about the organization you volunteer with and what you do and why this organization is important to you. I am a Dog Walker for ElderDog Canada which is a national, registered charitable organization dedicated to ageing people, ageing dogs, and the important connection they enjoy. Their purpose is to assist and support older adults in the care and well-being of their canine companions; Promote the welfare of older dogs whose lives have been disrupted due to illness, relocation or death of a human companion, as well as other amazing initiatives. This organization assists both Seniors and Dogs, both of which are very dear to my heart. I love pulling up to walk my dog and watching her bounce up and down in the window when she sees me. Why is volunteering important to you? I love giving back to the community I live in. Which organization are you directing your winning funds to and why? I decided to give my winning funds to the Cowichan SPCA after reading their urgent plea for food or funds in the local Newspaper.

My Time at Coastal Community My name is Jeff Matkin, I've held various positions within Coastal Community's commercial division over the past 9 years. I am currently AVP Commercial Services which includes managing both our Nanaimo and Parksville Business Centres. I'm reside in Royston and travel regularly to various communities on Vancouver Island. Please tell us about the organization you volunteer with and what you do and why this organization is important to you. My volunteerism has largely been directed to the Comox Valley Minor Hockey Association (CVMHA ) in recent years in a caching capacity. This year I coached U11 and U15 Flyers house teams, development teams and all star teams in addition to the U13 female Lightning team. CVMHA serves approximately 700+ youth hockey players from Royston to Black Creek in Initiation, House, Female and Rep. divisions. The association was established to give hockey players the opportunity to participate in a well organized and structured hockey program while providing a learning and nurturing experience for young athletes in a minor hockey setting. The qualities of sportsmanship and good citizenship are promoted. The welfare, education and social development of the participants are the paramount objectives of this association. CVMHA is important to me not only because I have 3 children playing in various division, but also because it allows volunteers and young athletes to lead by example, recognizing that these experiences may have a profound effect on the future attitudes, moral development and community involvement of these young people. CVMHA provides opportunities for youth to fulfill their potential in a safe and healthy environment by focusing on the development of all players in both competitive and recreational programs to maximize player potential. Why is volunteering important to you? I get the privilege of working with amazing volunteers, new hockey players and driven athletes to assist in developing healthy, community minded and gritty youth. Volunteering for CVMHA association is something I find deeply rewarding as it's about much more than just hockey. It's about teaching youth to be sportsmanlike, to be responsible to more than themselves, and to achieve their athletic and leadership potential. Which organization are you directing your winning funds to and why? I would like to direct my winning funds to KidSport Comox Valley. This is an organization dear to me as well as a good coaching friend of mine that we lost recently. KidSport provides grants to help cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under in Comox Valley can play a season of sport.

Earth Day = Farm Day with FED Urban Agriculture Society! ‍ This Earth Day, roll up your sleeves and help us expand the farm! Join us next Tuesday, April 22, from 1-4pm for a volunteer work party focused on growing our farm and expanding our capacity to increase food security in Victoria! Can’t make it? No worries, you can still support by donating some farm tools that you’ve got lying around! We’re on the lookout for: Wheelbarrows, dollies, and shovels Gloves, pruners, hori hori knives Tarps, shade protection, garbage cans Rebar, pitchforks, and power tools Let’s keep growing together this Earth Day! Sign up to join us at the farm at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1051596118031/false#/invitation Earth Day = Farm Day with FED Urban Agriculture Society! ‍ This Earth Day, roll up your sleeves and help us expand the farm! Join us next Tuesday, April 22, from 1-4pm for a volunteer work party focused on growing our farm and expanding our capacity to increase food security in Victoria! Can’t make it? No worries, you can still support by donating some farm tools that you’ve got lying around! We’re on the lookout for: Wheelbarrows, dollies, and shovels Gloves, pruners, hori hori knives Tarps, shade protection, garbage cans Rebar, pitchforks, and power tools Let’s keep growing together this Earth Day! Sign up to join us at the farm at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1051596118031/false#/invitation

Operation Christmas Child - Greater Victoria On April 12th, we hosted a Bottle Drive and raised just over $600 toward our goal to raise $7000 by the end of 2025. You can track our progress at https://sponsorme.samaritanspurse.ca/TGJvictoria A mustard seed of faith expressed our vision to disciple children in THE GREATEST JOURNEY. In 2024 a seniors group sponsored six small Bottle Drives. A few ‘keen-agers’ collected bottles & cans from neighbours all year. Three citywide Bottle Drives drove up the total. A pizza parlor joined in & a few cash donations encouraged our hearts. By Nov 30 that mustard seed had grown into a large tree to sponsor 858 children to attend 12 classes in The Greatest Journey! We invite you to drop off your refundable beverage containers on SATURDAY, JUNE 7th from 10am to 3pm when we host another BOTTLE DRIVE at New Life Community Fellowship, 3900 Carey Rd (at Tillicum). To grow this fund, you can also take your recyclables to a Return-it Depot at Sooke, Glanford, Quadra or Queens. Designate your refund to OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD- VICTORIA. Thank you! http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ

We're so proud of Jenny for sharing her story about volunteering for this great organization! Find out what being a Big Sister meant to her.

With almost 90% of our shares already sold, spots for our CSA Program are filling up quickly! As a CSA member, you'll receive weekly boxes of vibrant, fresh, seasonal produce while supporting Victoria’s local food economy! Don't miss your chance - sign up at http://get-fed.ca/2025-csa PLUS, FED Urban Agriculture Society on-site market will be opening on MAY 14! You’ll be able to drop by from Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm, to stock up on spray-free veggies, meet our team, and support our local food system. All proceeds from our CSA Program and on-site market go toward FED’s charitable work, helping to increase food security in our community. #getFED #urbanfarm #urbanagriculture #eatlocalWith almost 90% of our shares already sold, spots for our CSA Program are filling up quickly! As a CSA member, you'll receive weekly boxes of vibrant, fresh, seasonal produce while supporting Victoria’s local food economy! Don't miss your chance - sign up at http://get-fed.ca/2025-csa PLUS, FED Urban Agriculture Society on-site market will be opening on MAY 14! You’ll be able to drop by from Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm, to stock up on spray-free veggies, meet our team, and support our local food system. All proceeds from our CSA Program and on-site market go toward FED’s charitable work, helping to increase food security in our community. #getFED #urbanfarm #urbanagriculture #eatlocal