Enough is Enough!

Whistler Community Services was fortunate to participate in the Enough is Enough event at Whistler Olympic Plaza yesterday, to celebrate Ginny and Kerry Dennehy's 8000km cycle across Canada. Their journey to address to Mental Health Stigma was a huge success and the riders crossed the finish line to a large crowd of supporters.

The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation is determined to combat premature deaths and the anguish many individuals and their families face when dealing with mental health issues. The organization aims to increase the quality of care, education and resources for those dealing with mental illness. Enough is Enough is a powerful yet positive message, empowering individuals and local communities to reduce the casualties of mental illness. WCSS was honoured to be involved with this inspiring event! For more information go to www.thekeltypatrickfoundation.org

Auction @ The Re-Build-It Saturday, August 31!

Be at The Re-Build-It at 11:55a.m. if you want a chance at these unique "Steamer Trunks"...See you then!

KidSport Whistler is still 'Strutting it's Stuff' in Whistler after 17 years

Kidsport Whistler is a local branch of the national KidSport organization which provides funds to children in Whistler and our neighbouring communities to help with sport registration fees. Thanks to numerous donations and the continuing support from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, we have been able to honour, the KidSport motto, “So ALL Kids Can Play” for 17 years in Whistler.
WCSS on behalf of KidSport Whistler, invites you to come out on Thursday, September 5th to the annual community fall registration and information fair at Myrtle Philip Community School from 5-8pm. The event is lead by the RMOW and brings together the local community and sports groups for a chance to share what they are all about.  Ashlin, a WCSS Outreach Worker will be at the KidSport table and is happy to answer any questions parents may have about funding support. In 2012,  55 children were given the opportunity to participate in a coached sport (22 male, 33 female) for a total disbursements of $14880. Kids participated in 10 different sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Disabled Skiing, Figure Skating, Gymnastics, Hockey, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Luge.

KidSport Whistler was established in 1996 and became the first community model. There are now 35 KidSport™ BC organizations that followed our initiative in the communities such as Burnaby, Campbell River, Quesnel, Cranbrook, Kelowna, Mission, North Peace, Penticton, Vernon and Victoria. KidSport™ Canada is now our governing body with 175 community chapters nationwide. 

All kids should be given the opportunity to develop healthy lifestyles, no matter the financial, physical or language barriers that may exist! Staying physically active helps encourage children to maintain healthy habits throughout their whole lives. The challenges that come with playing sports also teach children valuable life lessons and skills including leadership, practice, hard work, dedication and self-confidence.

So join us at 'Strut Your Stuff' to celebrate the 17 years of continuing success of KidSport Whistler!

Ironman works with WCSS to Knockout Hunger

Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) is excited to announce a partnership with the IRONMAN Foundation to launch a "Knockout Hunger Campaign". On Thursday, August 22, at 4:00 PM the IRONMAN Foundation and WCSS will be at Whistler Olympic Plaza to send approximately 50 athletes, with reusable grocery bags to be distributed to Whistler homes. Whistlerites are being asked to use these bags to donate non-perishable goods to the WCSS Food Bank. IRONMAN athletes will break out into teams so all areas of the community can be reached.  The Athletes will canvas the neighbourhoods of the community on their bikes. In the bag, residents will find a much needed food item list and a drop off location in their neighbourhood for the full bags.  The IRONMAN Foundation has a duty to provide "Service through Sport and a Commitment to the Community" and the Knockout Hunger Campaign is how they will accomplish this in Whistler.

The Whistler Food Bank served 2,539 people in 2012 and over 500 times it was children receiving help. The number one reason cited for use of the food bank was underemployment and most people only needed it 1-3 times over the year. During the summer months the Food Bank receives fewer donations and as the slow season approaches it is important to fill the shelves.  Many residents turn to the Food Bank to feed themselves and their families. Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) works with community partners, members, funders and other non-profits to provide programs and services that support social sustainability in Whistler.

Foodworx

With the return of Crankworx Whistler we also have the return of Foodworx, run by Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) as a food drive for the Whistler Food Bank.  One local business will be crowned 2013 Foodworx Champion, and at the Foodworx tent on the village stroll,  individuals will have the chance to win some really cool prizes while helping out the community! 

Local businesses are being asked to participate by trying to solicit the most amount of donated food from Friday August 9^th until Friday August 16^th. The business that donates the most food by weight will be announced in the local media as Foodworx Champion 2013 and will win a guided canoe trip for some of their staff, donated by Canadian Wilderness Adventures. Businesses that choose to participate can register or learn more by emailing a contact name, phone number, and businesses mailing address to Sara Jennings at foodbank@mywcss.org. Past winners include: The Gap (2009), Fairmont Chateau Whistler (2010), Delta Whistler Village Suites (2011), and Fairmont Chateau Whistler (2012).

At the Foodworx Tent individuals can donate food or money for a chance to win the prize of the day. The tent will be open in the village from Thursday, August 15^th until Saturday August 17^th.  Prizes are from various cafes and restaurants, mountain bike gear shops, adventure tours operators and the grand prize, Red Bull deck passes for the Red Bull Joyride. Stop by the tent with a non-perishable food donation or cash, learn about all the great programs run by WCSS and have a chance to win.

The Whistler Food Bank served 2,539 people in 2012 and over 500 times it was children receiving help. The number one reason cited for use of the food bank was underemployment and most people only needed it 1-3 times over the year. Foodworx was created to be a yearly event in conjunction with Crankworx to address a community need before the busy fall season. Let the friendly competition begin and help to fill the Food Bank shelves!

Everything Old Is New Again: The resurgence of the “Do It yourself “ movement

The term “do-it-yourself”  (dyi) has been associated with consumers since at least 1912 primarily in the domain of home improvement and maintenance activities. The phrase "do it yourself" had come into common usage (in standard English) by the 1950s, in reference to the emergence of a trend of people undertaking home improvement and various other small craft and construction projects as both a creative-recreational and cost-saving activity. Wolf & McQuitty (2011). Understanding the Do-It-Yourself Consumer: DIY Motivation and Outcomes. Academy of Marketing Science Review

 “Everything that is old is new again.”  I can not recall how many times I’ve heard my parents, dad specifically, tell me that one day the case of dust collecting jars in their basement from grandma’s basement will come in handy and that one day canning will be trendy again.  As I huff, and remind him that its been years since  the last time he or anyone in the family pickled, the jars still remain in the basement.  Now living many provinces away I chuckled to myself as my dad’s words of wisdom spoke truth as I have just bought a case of new jars to start canning. 

The DYI movement has brought a trend of crafting, vegetable gardens, food preservation, sewing, and general ‘fix it up projects”. For the baby boomers many recall making clothes for their children, growing a family size vegetable garden and canning in mass quantities.  With children out of the house, hobbies changed and change in appetite; the thought of canning in your senior years may come with a “been there done that” attitude. 

Whistler Community Services Society is offering a canning class, specific to pickled vegetables. Join us August 12th to participate in a fun, interactive canning class where participants learn to how to prepare pickled vegetables with expert canner Carolyn Morris. Participants learn about nutrition, seasonal canning and will meet like-minded community members.  Classes are held at 1519 Spring Creek Drive (Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Social Services Centre) at 6:30pm. Contact Sara at 604-935-7717 or email foodbank@mywcss.org to book your spot. Please sign up before 10am on the day of the class to ensure your spot.
 Pay online at our website www.mywcss.org for one class ($10) or 5X pass ($40).

Here you will learn some up dated techniques, information about food preservation and be able to take home a jar for yourself.  All ingredients, tools and jars are provided.  No digging in the crawl space for the jars, caning rack, lids, caning funnel (which yes is different than your everyday funnel) and no need to hit up Costco for a commercial size vinegar.  This evening will include; instruction, to prep, preserve, canning and most important being able to take home the finished product. The ‘been there done that’ attitude should be demolished knowing that you will end up with a small amount of product and a single evening of time taken. Give canning a second try for all those baby boomers who swore off canning once finishing cases of jams, jellies, pickles and anything else that the garden yielded. If this date does not work for you WCSS will be hosting more canning classes in the fall including Zucchini Relish on September 9^th and Cranberry Sauce on October 28^th. For more updates please check our website www.mywcss.org. Happy Canning! ---SNAP-----