Christmas will look different this year for many families. The SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program will continue to help local families and individuals as it has done for more than 50 years, with community support. “We want to make sure that all local children and youth find a special gift under the tree, and we know many families and individuals will need help putting food in the cupboard over the holidays,” says SOS Christmas program coordinator, April Deleau. Please visit the SOS website to make a financial donation and to find gift drop-off times for the SOS Toy Shop.

Covid 19 continues to disrupt our routines. BC casinos and gaming centres remain closed as per public health order closures. Consequently, online gambling platforms have experienced an increase in play. This shift may worsen risk factors including social isolation and increased substance use as well as an increase in use of credit to gamble. The Responsible & Problem Gambling Program remains committed to serving the people of BC 24/7. Our support services include outreach, education, and counselling services by phone, text, web chat, or in person, all of which are FREE of charge. We’re here for you, should gambling take a harmful turn.

To eliminate the pain of frozen shoulder or rotator cuff injuries and to regenerate the joint, especially with osteo-arthritic elements; acupuncture and Prolozone injection therapy are my treatment protocols. Hypoxia or the inadequacy of cellular oxygen reaching the body’s tissues causes degeneration in the ligaments. Prolozone is excellent for all forms of musculo-skeletal and joint pain including chronic neck & back pain, rotator cuff injuries, degenerative, arthritic hips, knees, degenerated discs, shoulder and elbow pain. Because in many cases Prolozone actually corrects the pathology of the disorder, there is a 75% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to becoming permanently pain free.

Are you protecting yourself from hearing loss? There are “Three Pillars” of hearing loss prevention. #1: Proactive Health Management – Diabetes and high blood pressure if not appropriately managed, may pose a risk to your hearing health. #2: Smart Buying Decisions -Products such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers and hair dryers can generate dangerous noise levels. #3: Protection from Noise -Protecting your hearing from noise is one of the easiest things you can do, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Inexpensive foam earplugs provide adequate protection in many noisy situations. These steps can go a long way to maintaining the quality of your hearing.

We often hear the negative about seniors in our society, rather than celebrating them. Seniors offer wisdom and life experience integral to the fabric of a vibrant community. They contribute by shopping, using services (keeping people employed), and paying taxes. Seniors volunteer and make more charitable donations than any other age groups do. Many organizations could not function without them. Additionally, they help with babysitting and caregiving for spouses and friends, ultimately helping others to successfully “age in place”. Take the time to acknowledge the contributions made by seniors. By making our community more age-friendly, we can all play a role in inspiring more intergenerational understanding and connection.

Parksville Qualicum Beach Region has a higher percentage of low-income families than any other BC region. Compared to the rest of BC, we have higher levels of vulnerability for preschool children and higher levels of children and youth in care. The pandemic has brought greater levels of isolation, anxiety and family hardship. Being socially connected provides a sense of belonging, facilitates access to services and resources, and the opportunity for positive relationships with peers, trusted adults, families and communities. It is important that SOS restarts and rebuilds, in a safe manner, programs that children, youth and families have come to rely on. To learn more visit www.sosd69.com or call 250-248-2093.