Gabriola Artists for Peace Charity Auction Raises Funds to Fight Hunger on Gabriola Island

PRESS RELEASE

Gabriola Island, BC — September 24, 2025 — People for a Healthy Community (PHC) is pleased to announce the success of the Gabriola Artists for Peace Charity Auction Fundraiser, held September 19–20, 2025. The event brought the community together to celebrate peace, creativity, and compassion.

More than 40 local artists contributed their interpretations of peace on the iconic wooden white dove—a symbol of BC’s peace movement since the early 1980s These works were first displayed at the Vancouver Island Regional Library, then featured in both a silent and live auction at the Gabriola Community Hall.

Thanks to the generosity of artists, businesses, and community members, the event raised $8,000 in support of PHC’s Food and Outreach Programs. These funds will help expand

access to essential services and PHC’s ongoing outreach efforts.

“Rising costs of living and the widening income gap means more families, seniors, and individuals on Gabriola are turning to us for support,” said Christina Rajsic, Executive Director of People for a Healthy Community. “We at PHC recognize the importance of providing hope and compassion to families who feel isolated, are hungry and do not have their basic needs met. We know this positively contributes to the overall peace and wellbeing across our community”

How to Get Involved Community members can continue to support PHC by making a donation, volunteering, or learning more about programs and services. Visit www.phcgabriola.org to get involved. Every dollar matters.

THANK YOU!

To all the artists, volunteers, PHC Board members and staff who helped to make this event a resounding success! 

Thank you to Jonathan Hoskins for his vision for the event and to his wife Lynne who stepped in to help when Jonathan was unable to be there. 

Thank you Gwen Spinks for helping us with co-ordinating. Thank you to Kendra and the Gabriola Library for offering a place to display the Doves and the quilt,  making viewing the Doves more accessible to all of Gabriola - and a great way to start the silent auction before the official event began. 

Thank you to Arbutus Lumber who donated the plywood and paint to prepare the Doves for the artists.Thank you to Ron Crown for cutting the doves out.

Thank you to Nester’s for providing cookies and beverages. Thank you to Island Meat and Deli for charcuterie platters. Thank you to Shea (Shea Can Bake) for donuts. 

Thank you to the many volunteers who greeted, sold tickets, collected money, moved art, hung art, set up tables, took down tables and any other task that needed doing…. 

Thank you to Steve Struthers, who went above and beyond, taking pictures of all the doves at the Library and at the opening reception. Thank you to Bill Pope who took pictures at the Saturday event. 

Thank you Ellen Stewart, for selling your beautiful dahlias as an additional fundraiser. Thank you to Leah Hokanson and her ecstatic chanters - what a transformative performance! Thank you Graham Bradley for being our auctioneer, getting the highest bids for the doves and quilt that were part of the live auction. 

A very special thank you to the Gabriola Quilters who spent over 100 hours working together to make a gorgeous doves quilt and finally,  to all the artists who used their time and talent to make this event the success it was. It would not have been possible without you!