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-----

Hearing lasting a lifetime

The sense of hearing provides protection from our environment and is one of the important parts of the way we communicate. As one ages there are changes to all physical aspect of your life including hearing. While I’m not a doctor or hearing specialist that can speak to those changes  I do work with seniors and have experienced the challenges that older adults face when hearing loss is present.  WCSS recently invited Audiologist Amy Koza to the 55+ Drop In to provide a presentation about hearing health and audiological care in the Sea-to-Sky corridor.  Topics included signs, prevention and treatment of hearing loss, as well as recent advances in hearing aid technology and the current state of audiological care in BC. Amy offered 2 free Hearing Screening for those 55+ at Whistler Community Services on Monday June 24 & 28th.  These screenings were so successful they both booked out and Amy saw a total of 24 individuals. In an effort to increase everyone's knowledge about hearing loss, Amy has shared the following signs and symptoms to look out for: You often ask people to repeat themselves, have difficulty understanding people, or find that they mumble.  It is not uncommon to miss hear people or offer some insight into a conversation when the topic has already changed but when it becomes more constant there may be hearing loss. Secondly, if you have trouble hearing in a noisy environment, a crowded room offers too much sound and it’s difficult to hear the person speaking in front of you.  A way to off set this is to find a quite corner where the background noise is lower.  Another sign is when people complain the television is too loud. If you suffer from hearing loss you are less likely to notice the height of the volume until there is either a loud bang within the TV program or someone else enters the room and comments on the volume.  If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above occurrences it is probably time to seek assistance. Family doctors are a great resource or if you'd like to hear about audiologists in the area, please contact me and I can pass on the info (snap@mywcss.org, 604-902-0865). 

Let The Bidding Begin!

Let The Bidding Begin!

One of the most “unique” donations to grace the bay doors of The Re-Build-It Centre this month is a custom made Syl Ray 9 ½ ft. sailboat made by a local company in Surrey. The boat is in excellent condition (it floats!), includes the mast and sail. The sail suffered a little damage in storage over the winter from a “furry invader”, but can be easily repaired.

Here’s how it works:

Come by The Re-Build-It Centre anytime during open hours 10am-5pm 7 days.

Attach your bid to the boat with your name and phone number (must beat previous top bid).

Bidding closes at 12:00pm, July 31/2013.

The lucky person who provides highest bid will be contacted by phone at 12:01pm, July 31/2013 and given to the end of our business day to collect and pay for his/her prize.

If payment is not received by the end of our business day (5:00pm), the next highest bidder will be contacted until the boat is collected.

Good luck : )

WCSS at the Whistler Multicultural Festival

Fun last Friday at the Whistler Public Library! A great turn out for food, musical performances, crafts, martial arts and demonstrations from many different cultures. It was a great event to welcome and experience the cultures of Whistler and get involved in something new and fun! Thanks to the Whistler Multicultural Network and the Whistler Public Library for involving Whistler Community Services in the celebration.

To learn more about the Whistler Multicultural Network visit http://whistlermulticulturalnetwork.com/

Wahoo Walking Wednesdays!

I was lucky enough to get a chance to fill in for our Seniors Needs Action Planner for our Wednesday Walking group for the last two weeks. What a great way to start the morning! A group of seriously fit 55+ and I got to chat and cruise the valley trail for some great views and great conversation. Lucky for me we split into several groups so we could walk at our own pace (some of those walkers are speedy)! If you are looking for some fresh air and some fresh faces join the 55+ walking group that meets Wednesday mornings at 9:00am. Visit our SNAP page on our website for more details.