Interested in supporting our community and having some fun this summer? We need your help to restart our programs for children, youth and families! Consider hosting an event this summer with proceeds going to SOS. Click here to have a look at the 2-page flyer for more details, or scroll down to view both pages. Once you’ve read the flyer, email resource@sosd69.com with your fabulous idea and we’ll get back to you right away. Thank you!
We are very excited to welcome our Thrift Shop customers and donors back to resume treasure hunting and donation drop-offs on June 15!
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to work through the challenges that have come with the COVID-19 crisis.
Your support is truly appreciated at this time and is helping us provide essential services to our residents. Thank you for helping us keep valuable items out of our landfill, for promoting ethical, sustainable shopping, and for supporting SOS as a local charity dedicated to improving our community.
The health and safety of you and our staff is a top priority to us, so you will notice some changes. Here’s what you can expect on your visit to the Thrift Shop:
Hours
Monday – Saturday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. These reduced business hours will help us restock the store and maintain enhanced cleaning requirements with just our staff on the premises.
Enhanced cleaning procedures:
We will be cleaning high-touch areas frequently.
In order to limit the spread of viruses, we have added hand sanitizer stations and our staff team will be wearing facemasks.
Important details about shopping:
Important details about Thrift Shop donations:
Thank you again for your patience as we do our best to operate in this new normal. We are looking forward to seeing your happy faces again as you discover fantastic bargains!
SOS could not continue providing community support without valued supporters like you. Thank you for helping us ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable shopping experience at the best Thrift Shop on the Island.
SOS continues to take care of local seniors through the COVID-19 crisis thanks to support from the community and our partners.
“Without my prescription I can’t sleep at night, I have terrible nightmares,” said Valdis, a SOS Seniors’ Advocacy Services (SAS) client. “I’ve got other medications that are covered by PharmaCare, but that particular medication isn’t, and I just didn’t have the coin to buy it.”
Valdis was able to purchase his medication after speaking with Seniors’ Advocacy Services Coordinator Dawn Barry.
Recently, SOS received a $5,000 grant for the SAS program from the United Way Central & Northern Vancouver Island’s COVID-19 Seniors Response Fund, funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
SOS Seniors’ Advocacy Services provides assistance to seniors over the phone, emergency vouchers for food and medicine, it helps residents access various government benefits, and more.
Heather accessed the program after her car broke down and she was dealing with health issues. “If I didn’t get that help, I’d probably be living on the street,” she said. “I’ve lost weight and I’d probably be in the hospital or something. That little bit of help goes a long way. Programs like this are very essential. ”
If you are a local (District 69) senior and need support, call SOS at 250-248-2093.
SOS has restarted the Income Tax program. Thanks to community support, SOS continues to offer a number of essential services to local residents. Low income residents who need assistance filing basic tax returns can now call SOS at 250-248-2093 to set up a virtual tax appointment. SOS Coordinator Elizabeth Nicol discussed the program with 88.5 The Beach radio host Dave Graham over the phone. Click here to listen to that interview, which also discusses the other essential services we are providing residents at this time. If you would like to help keep SOS essential services available, please donate to our Grateful Hearts campaign through our website by clicking here or call us. Thank you!
Renowned local artists Ken Kirkby and Nana Cook are fundraising to help SOS distribute food to neighbours in need. The fundraiser features 50 works of art by the two artists, selling for a fraction of the cost they would normally be sold for. All pieces in the fundraiser cost $500, and 50% of the proceeds will come to SOS. Work by these artists generally range from $1,000 to upwards of $5,000. To view the art on the artists’ Facebook page, click here.
Please click here or on the heart below to open a larger version with cut lines. Thank you for your support!
