Cara Brady

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Residents of a small village in Guatemala share a smile with the team of volunteers from Vernon who are assisting through the Hungry Canada Project.

Giving the village a helping hand

Mark and Cori Wensley, Verity Pickering with 3% Realty/Highridge Homes share their time and support with a small village in Guatemala

Residents of a small village in Guatemala share a smile with the team of volunteers from Vernon who are assisting through the Hungry Canada Project.
Members of 100 Women Who Care in Vernon — Jamee Mofatt, Loreen Ruault, Judy Rose and Noelle Crombie — present a donation of $9,000 to Jenn Millan, accepting on behalf of the Mental Illness Family Support Centre. The group’s next meeting is Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.

Women caring about their community

For the members of 100 Women Who Care Vernon, it's all about giving back, and doing it efficiently and with meaning

Members of 100 Women Who Care in Vernon — Jamee Mofatt, Loreen Ruault, Judy Rose and Noelle Crombie — present a donation of $9,000 to Jenn Millan, accepting on behalf of the Mental Illness Family Support Centre. The group’s next meeting is Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.
Midwives Carrie Sizer (left) and Sylvia Nicholson share a smile with the photographer’s infant daughter, Amelia. The local midwives work together at Vernon Midwifery Clinic, the first free-standing clinic in the North Okanagan.

Midwives give parents another choice

Vernon Midwifery Clinic is the first free-standing midwifery clinic in the North Okanagan

Midwives Carrie Sizer (left) and Sylvia Nicholson share a smile with the photographer’s infant daughter, Amelia. The local midwives work together at Vernon Midwifery Clinic, the first free-standing clinic in the North Okanagan.
The eighth annual Wokathon is Sunday, Jan. 17. Funds raised will be divided between NONA Child Development Centre's Build a Clubhouse campaign and to set up a school for children in Samor village of Angk Snuol district, Cambodia.

Vernon gets behind Wokathon

Woks are heating up at The Rice Box, where owner On Ouch and his staff are ready to work for free and donate all proceeds to worthy causes

The eighth annual Wokathon is Sunday, Jan. 17. Funds raised will be divided between NONA Child Development Centre's Build a Clubhouse campaign and to set up a school for children in Samor village of Angk Snuol district, Cambodia.
Leslie and her husband James live with their four-year-old biological daughter and two teenage foster children near Nanaimo. As proud members of the First Nations community, they are dedicated to keeping aboriginal kids connected to their culture. Leslie and James believe that community and extended family bonds are key to raising their biological and foster children.

Bringing out the best in children

People foster because they care about kids and want to help kids and families

Leslie and her husband James live with their four-year-old biological daughter and two teenage foster children near Nanaimo. As proud members of the First Nations community, they are dedicated to keeping aboriginal kids connected to their culture. Leslie and James believe that community and extended family bonds are key to raising their biological and foster children.
Beverley Bailey, new Halina Seniors Centre manager (centre), chats with members Carol Maveety (left), and Margaret Ams at a canasta game. The centre welcomes new members at any time and reminds everyone, members or not, to get tickets for the Christmas Dinner Dec. 14.

Four decades of affordable fun

The Halina Seniors Centre welcomes a new manager, who is excited about promoting the Vernon centre's many activities

Beverley Bailey, new Halina Seniors Centre manager (centre), chats with members Carol Maveety (left), and Margaret Ams at a canasta game. The centre welcomes new members at any time and reminds everyone, members or not, to get tickets for the Christmas Dinner Dec. 14.
Romana Frey enjoys the view in Durnstein, Austria earlier this year. The small town on the Danube River in the state of Lower Austria is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the Wachau region and a well-known wine growing area.

Passport to adventures in travel

Romana Frey has discovered that the joys of life are found in people and experiences and not in possessions

Romana Frey enjoys the view in Durnstein, Austria earlier this year. The small town on the Danube River in the state of Lower Austria is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the Wachau region and a well-known wine growing area.
Lee Brinkman (left) and Abby MacNeish, seniors’ services coordinators at Nexus BC, get ready for the Making Spirits Bright Campaign. The program lets seniors who might not otherwise receive a gift make a wish that can be fulfilled by someone in the community.

Christmas gift for low-income seniors

Making Spirits Merry and Bright is a new program that invites low-income seniors to make a Christmas wish

Lee Brinkman (left) and Abby MacNeish, seniors’ services coordinators at Nexus BC, get ready for the Making Spirits Bright Campaign. The program lets seniors who might not otherwise receive a gift make a wish that can be fulfilled by someone in the community.
While on an exchange from Germany, Leon Lorenz enjoyed outdoor activities such as chopping wood. Lorenz attended Vernon secondary school with his Canadian host, Nathan Allen, and lived with the Allen family during his time here.

Exchange helps build friendships

Canada-Germany Exchange program has been extending the hand of friendship and sharing of cultures for 40 years

While on an exchange from Germany, Leon Lorenz enjoyed outdoor activities such as chopping wood. Lorenz attended Vernon secondary school with his Canadian host, Nathan Allen, and lived with the Allen family during his time here.
Marie Beaudoin takes a break at Okanagan College Vernon Campus. She invites prospective students to the Returning to Education Seminar Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the college.

Making a return to education

Okanagan College welcomes those who have been out of school for awhile to explore their options at Returning to Education Seminar Nov. 16

Marie Beaudoin takes a break at Okanagan College Vernon Campus. She invites prospective students to the Returning to Education Seminar Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the college.
Claudette Bouchard facilitates discussions on all aspects of death and dying at the Vernon Death Café. The next session is Nov. 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Vernon branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.

Death Café helps start the discussion

A movement that began in Europe and has spread around the world makes its Vernon debut

Claudette Bouchard facilitates discussions on all aspects of death and dying at the Vernon Death Café. The next session is Nov. 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Vernon branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.
Ernie Winterhalder works a field by tractor at the Fieldstone Organics Farm in Spallumcheen.

Environment and health go hand in hand

Fieldstone Organics grows ancient grains on its Spallumcheen farm and works with local growers to provide grain for their products

Ernie Winterhalder works a field by tractor at the Fieldstone Organics Farm in Spallumcheen.
PIN (People in Need) Crisis Line volunteer coordinator Gayle Shulhan plans the next volunteer training session, which takes place mid-November.

A phone call can change lives

Crisis Line volunteers provide a valuable service, but many also say they get back far more than they give

PIN (People in Need) Crisis Line volunteer coordinator Gayle Shulhan plans the next volunteer training session, which takes place mid-November.
Fabian Alexis, Frank Marchand, Mervin Louis and Patricia Wilson take the Syilx Spirit canoe out on Okanagan Lake at the ceremonial launch held last month at Kin Beach. The ceremony was also a welcome back to school for aboriginal students in School District 22.

Syilx Spirit launches understanding

Okanagan Indian Band launches a traditional canoe at a special ceremony, which also welcomed aboriginal students back to school

Fabian Alexis, Frank Marchand, Mervin Louis and Patricia Wilson take the Syilx Spirit canoe out on Okanagan Lake at the ceremonial launch held last month at Kin Beach. The ceremony was also a welcome back to school for aboriginal students in School District 22.
Vernon Women’s Transition House Society staff members Ninke Beeksma (left), and Micki Materi talk about what they’ll be wearing to the Little Black Dress Party Oct. 22, a fundraiser for Vernon Women’s Transition House Society programs in the community.

A little black dress with a big impact

The Vernon Women’s Transition House Society has been providing programs for women and children for four decades

Vernon Women’s Transition House Society staff members Ninke Beeksma (left), and Micki Materi talk about what they’ll be wearing to the Little Black Dress Party Oct. 22, a fundraiser for Vernon Women’s Transition House Society programs in the community.
Sofie Hartwick with her works, Birds of a Feather and Rhythm, part of the Awakening the Spirit Art Show at the Coatcheck Gallery at the Performing Arts Centre until Oct. 25.

Show celebrates creative talents

The Awakening the Spirit Art Show celebrates the creative talents of people living with mental illness

Sofie Hartwick with her works, Birds of a Feather and Rhythm, part of the Awakening the Spirit Art Show at the Coatcheck Gallery at the Performing Arts Centre until Oct. 25.
One To One Children’s Literacy Program volunteers Lindy Blakely (left) and Deena Laturnus chat at the recent appreciation tea for all program supporters at The Schubert Centre.

Making a One to One difference

Children's literacy has been getting a boost from the One to One Program for 20 years at schools throughout the Vernon School District

One To One Children’s Literacy Program volunteers Lindy Blakely (left) and Deena Laturnus chat at the recent appreciation tea for all program supporters at The Schubert Centre.
Lisa Hanssens’ volunteer placement agency Volunteer Travelventures has people from Canada and around the world helping in Guaymas, Mexico.

Changing lives with volunteer travel to Mexico

Lisa Hanssens has brought volunteers from around the world to work and travel with her company, Volunteer Travelventures

Lisa Hanssens’ volunteer placement agency Volunteer Travelventures has people from Canada and around the world helping in Guaymas, Mexico.
Young women can learn a cappella, four-part harmony in the new Young Women of the Kalamalka Chorus, part of the Vernon Kalamalka Chorus. No previous musical experience is necessary.

Kalamalka Chorus welcomes young women

Young women with little or no, or any previous musical training can learn a cappella, four-part harmonies.

Young women can learn a cappella, four-part harmony in the new Young Women of the Kalamalka Chorus, part of the Vernon Kalamalka Chorus. No previous musical experience is necessary.
Argyll School of Celtic Arts dance instructor Debra Parmenter with shoes for a variety of dance styles. She is leading a new class for adult beginners this fall.

Dancing for the sheer joy of it

Dance teacher Debra Parmenter offers women of all ages a chance, or a re-chance, to dance.

Argyll School of Celtic Arts dance instructor Debra Parmenter with shoes for a variety of dance styles. She is leading a new class for adult beginners this fall.