I was able to watch / observe a wonderful guide dog 'learning' experience up close and personal…read morelast year that impressed, and really touched me. A young, visually-impaired lady, a young, out in-training guide dog, and nearby, a 'trainer' to assist / help / encourage as required -- and the dog's first encounter with getting on a bus, coupled with the noisy, mechanical, wheelchair lift, et al. I came home so totally impressed, and captured by the event I had witnessed, I decided to research some of 'who', 'what', and 'where' of such operations. Since then, for me, it has been to follow and give to the efforts of 'BC & Alberta Guide Dogs'. I like what this organization, and the wonderful dogs they train, can do to enable such much-needed help to those with impaired abilities.

I recently volunteered at the urban orchard-in-progress on Great Northern Way. I won't go on about…read morethe organization and all the good things they do; rather I will simply treat it as any other outing and rate the experience. (I will, though, encourage you to visit their website and look into how you can help out.) After completing the generic volunteer application, I was contacted via email by the project coordinator. Volunteers were given a choice of days to work and told where to be, what to bring and what we would be doing. The onsite representative was able to answer my many questions (what kinds of apples will grow, how much water/dirt/sunlight etc., what kind of irrigation is needed...what can I say, I'm a curious person!) She is clearly invested in the project and has a lot of passion for it. It wasn't easy, shoveling dirt and filling the planters, but it was fun and I met some great people. There were about twelve people helping the night I was there, which, isn't a lot. There will be a need for help as the season goes along and I hope that people will read this and get inspired. It's fun to help out and actually see something grow from your efforts. The location is cool, too, as there are some interesting things going on, such as roof garden experiments and big future plans for the site. The experience was even better than I expected. The people were friendly, helpful and enthusiastic and the location is easy to access via bike, transit or vehicle. And, it's free!

I appreciate the cause and what it stands for. I have had friends and family that have gone through…read morethis, however, I've always questioned how much and who the money actually goes to. I stopped supporting this foundation when it refused to take the donation of strippers who raised $$$ for breast cancer.

For many years The Weekend to End Breast Cancer has been a huge success in the fundraising drive…read morefor BC Breast Cancer research. Then a few years ago they changed the name of it to "The Weekend To End Women's Cancers" which incorporated a lot of other cancers. In total I've participated in this fundraiser a for 3 years (2008, 2010, and 2011) and was sad to find out that 2011 was the final year that Vancouver will have one of these Walks. It was held on August 13th and 14th, 2011. It is a monstrous endeavour by all, from walkers, to volunteers, friends, families, and the neighbours who come out to cheer us on along the route. This year the weather was also a friend. :D In the years they have had 'The Weekend' (since 2004), there has been fundraising in excess of $20-million dollars that directly benefited cancer research and care in British Columbia. Proceeds continue to fund innovative research, treatment, and prevention programs for breast and gynecologic cancers at BC Cancer Foundation. I will forever remember my time training for walks, and fundraising, and ultimately challenging myself on 'The Weekends' to complete a 60-km trek in two days. I will endeavour to find some way to continue using my efforts to help out my community, and encourage everyone else to do the same. Fundraising has been difficult for many organisations due to the declining economy for the past few years. People need help now as much as they ever did. Consider how you can help out somehow and make 2012 the year to volunteer !!!!

BC Centre for Ability This Non-profit organization provides…read morecommunity based to enhance the quality of life for children, youth with special needs and adults with disabilities program. Registered Charity # 132004169 RR 0001 Main Office : 2805 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5H9 Tel: (604) 451-5511 Fax: (604) 451-5651 Burnaby Office : 301 - 4460 Beresford Street, Burnaby, BC V5H 0B7 Tel: (778) 328-1625 Fax: (778) 328-1630 Richmond Office: 3368 Carscallen Road, Richmond, BC V6X 2H6 North Shore Office: 304 - 267 Esplanade West North Vancouver, BC V7M 1A5 This Non-profit organization needs our support regularly to continue their program for youth and adults with disabilities throughout British Columbia. Please also help the disabled people family to take care of their family member after work.

I will never forgot the moment I first discovered MDABC! My good friend took me to see the film…read more"Here One Day" at The Cinematheque. It's a documentary about a mother's 20-year struggle with bipolar disorder, who took her own life. It hit close to home. To my surprise, when exiting the theatre, I noticed an information table outside with pamphlets on mental health. As someone who had just moved to the city alone, carrying over mental health challenges from Toronto, and with a family history of mental health, I decided it was time to make some changes and finally deal with everything that was holding me back from living life to my full potential. As a mental health advocate, I also continue to use MDABC's psychiatric clinic, support groups and counselling and wellness centre on a weekly basis. This association has provided me a solid foundation and has been one of the main reasons I maintain an overall improved mood and work-life balance. I wanted to improve the quality of my life, and I did just that, with MDABC.

Within a residential area, walking through the trees, you will be transported to Mother Nature's…read moreback yard! A very vibrant stream run through this part of the park, the stream is also where Salmon returns every year to complete their life cycle. We often taken for granted of how lucky we are to live in a City that blends nature with human activities, let keep the balance and treat Nature with respect!

I have a lot of friends in the community and once a year it is everyone's time to throw a party. I…read moreappreciate the parties that they throw in the city, the help for the cause and the fight for equality. I've been a proud volunteer, a consumer and participant and they put a lot of hard work and love into the work they do. My favorite time of year is Pride.....where all the best parties happen.

This was my first Pride event in Vancouver. The block party and the parade were nice. The Boathouse…read morePride Parade viewing was horrible. A lot of people were disappointed with the event. I definitely won't be buying tickets for anything like that again. $45 per person for a buffet. I wish they had disclosed that information before. The description said "enjoy a meal from the special menu to be provided." If we knew it was a buffet, we definitely would have thought about skipping. The food was not good, and the event wasn't handled well. I think 3 stars is being generous, but the party and parade were nice.

Nanook is one of the newer YMCA child care centers within the lower mainland, next to the massive…read moreRobert Lee facility downtown. They're offering a beautiful centre and capable staff to work with children of all developmental levels. This centre has a stronger focus on helping the children and families within the surrounding community. The Bob and Kay Ackles Nanook House provides community Wednesday Family Night Dinners (in thanks to CKNW Orphan's Fund) and family events that happen on Saturdays.