On Friday, March 27, 2009, about 100 people sat down to a gourmet dinner and an entertaining evening of stories, music and laughter. They were there to celebrate Gordon Harper, the winner of the second annual Unsung Hero Award, a joint endeavor of the First Unitarian Church and the Community Council.

We’re so grateful!  Recently, a team of five students at Royal Roads University selected Umbrella to be the beneficiary of a most wonderful project.

For many years, the NEED Crisis and Information Line has helped residents of Victoria get through very troubling times.  In 2007 - 2008 alone, trained volunteers answered 12,000 calls for help.  A great many of these calls come from people who are concerned about substance use issues, either their own or someone else’s. Concerns about street drugs, alcohol use and gambling have doubled over the past few years.