Working as a magazine publisher and owner affords me the opportunity to be an integral part of the community. Unfortunately, the coverage of many other publications is too large or too spread out to maintain kinship like Seaside Magazine offers. Being hyperlocal is an amazing way to couple a magazine’s content with its readers.
Seaside hosted its Fourth Annual Taking It To The Street road hockey charity event at the Mary Winspear Centre (see story page 17). The focus of the day’s events was for Help Fill A Dream Foundation, a charity that ignites hope in the lives of children who face life-threatening conditions by fulfilling their dreams, improving their quality of life, and assisting their families with care and financial support. And on Saturday, June 10 we made Andrei Marti’s dream come true.
Some have asked me: “ How can you host your own charity event, manage Seaside Magazine and raise two children?” Some days I wonder myself, but for the most part when I meet the children and their families we help, it’s all worth it. “My family has it easy, really,” I explain to my kids and they totally get it. And then there’s my team. I couldn’t do this event without them, so I’m the lucky one, but I guess we all benefit in the end.
One thing I’ve learned through this journey is that dreams do have a ripple effect. The impact goes beyond the dream child, as it touches family, friends, neighbours and the community as a whole. How great is it to see a charity event bring together a community of volunteers, passionate hockey players and dedicated sponsors … all for a common cause!
As we progress through 2017, the Seaside team will strive to create an even stronger and more intimate connection with our community. We look forward to sharing stories about people, events and businesses that make the Saanich Peninsula such a great place to live and work!
Thanks again to all who were involved with Taking it To the Street; you have made a difference. And it’s time we do!
