IT'S TIME FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Thanks to you, our supporters, we have recently passed the five-year milestone of being our region's community-run funding agency for all things health related. Via our Grants Committee, your donations have found their way to many local organizations providing essential services and meeting health related needs.

THANK YOU!

Recently, we launched a new online 50/50 raffle that allows for donations as little as $2 to go toward an immediate need that a non-profit or charity in the Sooke Region has brought to our attention. It is a fun way for anyone of legal age in BC to contribute, learn about the urgent needs of our trusted recipients, and to have a chance at winning a 50/50 pot. These draws are scheduled throughout the rest of 2025 and will support different recipient groups every two months. If you know of a health-related group that could benefit from our 50/50, tell them about us. We are here to serve! Click here for our current raffle!

One of our recent recipients of a formal grant was the Sooke Autism Support Society (SASS). We were exceedingly pleased to provide funds for family support workshops, educational scholarships at EMCS, and Easter Seal Adventure camp placements. The growth of SASS as a support service in Sooke has been phenomenal and has garnered recognition on Vancouver Island, due to its hard-working founders. Your targeted donor dollars helped the SASS executive to start up much needed services that otherwise would not have been possible. Thank you for helping this amazing organization to grow. Read more >

Another formative project that the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation has recently embraced is Sea to Tree’s creation of a Foundation to provide low-barrier counselling for at-risk populations otherwise unable to afford mental health services. This was seen by our Grants Committee as a brave and much needed addition to our community. Additionally, the Committee saw the preceptorship of Masters level counsellors within this program as an essential part of bringing more mental healthcare providers to Sooke.

So, you see that your donations are essential to us. Have you ever wondered how to make the most of a community donation, not knowing where or who to donate to, yet wanting to ensure that your dollars are spent both wisely and locally? That's our job! We scan the region for groups that work hard for our community and need financial support for health-related projects. Look on our website for "NEWS" about the many grants that are being made with your donations, and the lives changed. Any donations over $25 will receive an official receipt eligible for income tax charitable donation status. Check out our donations page if you would like to become a regular donor or wish to show a friend what we do.

From Our Entire Board, Thank You!

REMEMBERING DR. ROY IRWIN BROWN

The Board of Directors sadly announces the passing of Dr Roy Irwin Brown. Dr. Brown was a founding member of the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation. Dr. Brown was a distinguished professor of psychology who in his lifetime worked and taught at several universities including Bristol University (England), University of Adelaide (Australia), and University of Calgary.

Throughout his career many honours and awards were bestowed upon this eloquent communicator, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ghent, for his distinguished scientific research in disability studies, the Dr. Robert E. Cooke Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, and the IASSIDD Distinguished Service Citation.

For the Health Foundation Roy brought not just experience and insight but also heart. He had the rare ability to listen deeply and speak with purpose. When he spoke, people paid attention—not out of obligation, but out of respect for a man who thought before he spoke, and who always aimed to uplift, not diminish. He was never the loudest voice in the room, but he was often the wisest. Roy was a man of immense integrity and thoughtful conviction. He lived not for recognition or applause, but for purpose. His sense of duty to his community was matched only by his humility, and those fortunate enough to work alongside him knew him as a steady and compassionate voice of reason.

Roy's passing will leave an immense gap in the lives of so many people who respected and indeed loved him for the way he reached out, embraced people and enriched their lives. 

READ OBITUARY HERE

BIMONTHLY RAFFLES A HEALTHY

BOOST FOR FUNDRAISING!

2025 began with the exciting launch of our new online 50/50 Raffle. This campaign is in addition to the ongoing program of grants which the Health Foundation makes each year – all made possible by your generous giving.

Top: Dr Chris Bryant, Foundation board co-chair, Kelly Walker, SFRS Executive Director and Edith and Victor Newman

 Margot Swinburnson, Foundation board member and April raffle winner Molly Constantine

The February 28th draw

gave 50% of the proceeds to the  Sooke Family Resource Society’s (SFRS) Prenatal Education and Outreach Program. These prenatal classes offer pregnancy, childbirth and infant care education as well as valuable information on community resources for new parents. The remaining 50% went to our lucky winners Victor and Edith Newman, who generously donated back $600 of their winnings to the SJdF Health Foundation, and took home the remaining $1,000.

For the April 30th draw, 50% of the funds raised were donated to Ayre Manor to go toward the purchase a new Synthesis Positioning Chair to improve the comfort, safety, and well-being of residents. This chair provides extra cushioning and support, with tilting and positioning features to accommodate all heights and weights. The prize winner was Molly Constantine, who won $917, and kindly donated back $200 to the foundation.

ABOUT OUR NEXT RAFFLE ON JUNE 30TH

The next 50/50 draw will be held on June 30th, and will support Sooke Shelter Society’s Peer Health Initiative. Don’t miss your chance to support this urgent need. Every ticket you buy makes a difference in building a healthy, resilient and supportive community.

Toxic drugs are killing more and more people in our region, shattering lives, families, and communities. Since BC's public health officer declared a public health emergency in 2016, the number of unregulated drug poisonings in Sooke and Metchosin has doubled. Forty-three of our neighbours needed assistance from paramedics in the last year alone.

The Peer Health Initiative empowers Hope Centre residents with lived experience to take an active role in supporting one another through harm reduction, daily site maintenance, and peer mentorship. This initiative promotes dignity, responsibility, and connection by offering honorariums for meaningful contributions, while also helping foster a safer, healthier, and more inclusive community. Its goal is knowledge sharing and offering support and education to participants who are interested in topics such as healthy hobbies, overdose prevention/safer substance use, mind and body wellness, health promotion, accessing resources, and more.

Purchase Tickets Now

DONOR SPOTLIGHT 

Heartfelt Thanks to Community Builders Andrew and Ellen

Compassionate, caring donors fuel our work. This month we salute Andrew and Ellen for their long-term commitment to enhancing community projects that strengthen us.

As public sector retired teachers, they understand the importance of fundraising to support the community and local health initiatives. When they were younger, they were active volunteers. Now they are less mobile but as passionate as ever about making a difference.

Their regular donations reflect well-honed teaching skills ... "We celebrate our son's birthday with a gift to the Health Foundation as a way of reminding him of what our families value in the community. I also remembered my late mother with a donation."

They appreciate that the Foundation is “close to the ground,” keenly aware of community needs, and supports groups most in need of funds to “shine and get things done.” "We actually like going to the website to see what new project it is supporting...it's a good way for us to keep in touch with emerging community trends and needs."

Ellen is especially glad to see the Foundation working with Ayre Manor, as she has fond memories of the care that her mother received there. Andrew likes the fact that ALL of his donations will stay in our region from Becher Bay to Port Renfrew..."I used to hike the backroads of the area, so I know it is a very large area that you are serving."

"We talk to our kids and grandchildren about finding a community group that makes a difference and how important it is to stick with them and support them, even if all you can afford is a few dollars now and then. Make them your home team!”

They recognize that the foundation is still in its early years and applaud the Board for working hard to expand it for the future. "I'm not as handy with computer skills, but we can still send a cheque or two in via the Health Foundation's mailbox." Their valued contributions make the world of difference.

Celebrating 5 Years of Helping Sooke Thrive

2020 Sooke Shelter Society received a $500 grant to go toward providing for the needs of those living without a home in and around Sooke. 

2020 West Coast Family Medical Clinic received an interpretive electrocardiogram (ECG) to expand community-based diagnostic services in Sooke. 

2021 Ayre Manor received a bladder scanner to improve the ability of health care providers to deliver rapid point of care results. 

2022 Sooke Shelter Society received $5000 from the Mary Brown Memorial Fund to help in the provision of mental health services. 

2022 Sooke Family Resource Society (SFRS) received $5000 from the Mary Brown Memorial Fund to help in the provision of mental health services. 

2023 Sooke Autism Support Society received a $5000. from the Mary Brown Memorial Fund to help in the provision of services for special needs children and their families. Over the next two years the grant will provide Easter Seal Adventure Camp placements, EMCS Scholarships supporting children with special needs, and educational and support workshops. 

2024 Ayre Manor received a grant of $3000 towards the cost of specialized dining tables to serve the needs of residents. 

2025 Sea to Tree Foundation received $5000. from the Mary Brown Memorial Fund to support access to low barrier, free, mental health care to residents of the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Region. 

2025 Ayre Manor received a grant of $3400. to meet the full cost of the purchase of a new Synthesis Positioning Chair. This will serve to improve the comfort, safety, and well-being of many residents.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit us at our table at all of the following community events. 

Free family fun for all we look forward to seeing you there!

Canada Day

July 1st, Fred Milne Park

Enter to Win a SEAPARC
Annual Pass!

All Sooke Day Family Picnic 

August 16th, Fred Milne Park                   

Shirley Day

August 17th, Shirley Community 

Hall and Park               

Ways You Can Help 

Send Cheques to Sooke & Juan de Fuca Health Foundation

P.O. Box 303, Sooke, BC V9Z 1G1

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“A healthy community is a strong community.
Thank you for being part of our mission.”

– SJDF Health Foundation Board

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