Brandon's annual cancer fundraiser Relay for Life was to be held May 23rd, but given COVID-19 health crisis and remaining committed to physical distancing to protect the health of all Canadians, they are doing Relay at Home virtual this year. On June 13 (7-9 p.m. EST) participants can take part in Relay At Home – a nationwide online fundraising event with interactive activities, time to celebrate survivors and remember those they've loved. Funds raised through Relay At Home will help support essential programs that are even more in-demand during this stressful and uncertain time. Jeff Thompson is the Chair of the 2020 Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life! He is trying to “spread the word” on this year's Relay at Home to help support those that have been impacted by cancer. His favorite part about being involved with the organization is being able to work with great people striving towards a similar goal and having an impact on cancer.  He joined the Canadian Cancer Society to have an impact on people that are affected by cancer, including survivors, caregivers, and family members. Jeff’s brother Perry passed away in 2018 after 2 separate battles with cancer. Join Jeff and the rest of the Canadian Cancer society this year for Relay at Home to change lives, and to be bigger than cancer.  The Brandon-Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life's Facebook page can be found here. Sign up today at www.relayforlife.ca

Len Isleifson, MLA for Brandon East is welcoming the PC government’s announcement of increased grant support to community organizations and their community development projects as part of re-starting the provincial economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Once again, business leaders in Brandon have stepped up to the plate during a time of need and uncertainty,” said Isleifson. “While the current global pandemic has been the immediate concern of everyone, the actions of local governments, non-profit organizations and others show that we continue to move forward on building a better tomorrow.” Through the Building Sustainable Communities program, the Manitoba government is providing $10 million in grants to support 344 projects for community development projects province-wide. This includes a total of $257,235 for the following projects in the Brandon constituency: City of Brandon - $60,375 YMCA – $20,980 YWCA – $3,750 Brandon & Area Youth for Christ - $46,353 Royal Canadian Legion #3 - $74,758 Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation - $51,019 The Manitoba government is increasing this year’s investment in the Building Sustainable Communities program by 25 per cent. The program was developed to help provide a high quality of life for Manitobans by responding to neighbourhood, municipal and regional priorities. (submitted)

Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) today announced it will be provided $109,120 to support local charities responding to COVID-19 as part of a new partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, funded through the Government of Canada’s $350M Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This vast national effort aims to support vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19. BACF is among community foundations across Canada that are taking part.   “This is a vital step in the fight against COVID-19,” states Laura Kempthorne, Executive Director of BACF.  “Local charities and non-profit organizations have been working tirelessly to support those who need it most right now. This additional funding is a much-needed boost to their efforts. We’re looking forward working with our community partners, the Canadian Red Cross and the United Way of Brandon to flowing funds quickly to ensure no one in our community is left behind.” The Emergency Community Support Fund was initially announced on April 21, 2020 by the Prime Minister of Canada. It is part of a broad series of emergency response measures by the Government of Canada. “Canadian charities and not for profits are always there to help you, in your time of need. But the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada will be there for them so they can continue to be there for Canadians.” - The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Starting on May 19, BACF will begin accepting applications for funding from qualified donees. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including to cover staffing or resource needs, purchase assistance and more. Funding will be issued on an ongoing basis through July 2020. Charities and community organizations are invited to visit the foundation website for eligibility and application details. “At Community Foundations of Canada, our purpose to “relentlessly pursue a future where everyone belongs” has never felt more important than it does right now,” said Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada President. “We’re grateful for the leadership of local community foundations like the Brandon Area Community Foundation, who have been at the forefront of local response efforts since the pandemic was declared. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s contribution, our network will be able to unlock even more local impact for organizations serving vulnerable groups, helping us set the stage for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.”

A taxi and car collided in the intersection of 16th St. and McTavish Ave Tuesday afternoon in Brandon. Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police responded to the crash, which sent the car up onto a curb, eventually striking a tree. Nobody was transported by ambulance to hospital.

A new trend making the way across the country involves people putting together gift baskets of goodies to leave on strangers doorsteps, with a tagline of "You've been ninja'd". The concept is essentially to deliver a gift basket to someone's doorstep, ring the doorbell, and then disappear quickly without being seen (like a ninja), in an effort to keep the gift anonymous. The gesture came about as a way to spread good cheer and kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Items in the gift basket may include a little bit of everything including wine, snacks, makeup, gift-ware, clothing, books & more. According to participant Erika Brittany Shelvey, it's basically a giant game of ding, dong, ditch. Except you leave a gift. Most towns and cities have Facebook groups called “wine ninja”. These groups serve as a central information centre where everyone who would like to participate posts their address and people can just choose a random address or someone they know. Erika is just one of many ninja's leaving gifts for people. She has left 16 gifts on doorsteps (11 this evening alone) in the Shilo and Spruce Woods area and she doesn't plan on stopping just yet. "I love giving gifts so this wine ninja’ing is right up my alley! A lot of people post pictures of their gifts saying they have had a bad day and we’re so grateful, and that’s where the joy comes from" said Erika. Brandon's Samantha Krystal Shupe and her family are also participating. So far they have made 6 wine ninja bags, 2 maternity bags, and 6 kids activity bags. They selected 3 wine and 3 kids ninja bags to go to people that they knew and the other 3 were random. Her kids picked a number between 1-11 (address lists on each page) then an address that didn't have a symbol and then they delivered. Her kids played the ninja's.  For the maternity gift bags, she created a post asking for addresses or someone to nominate someone expecting so they can be included as well. These they put names in a hat and dropped them off! "It's a great activity to lift everyone spirits, it's been fun for our family" Samantha told bdnmb.ca. "The admins for the pages are amazing and do a great job on updating the lists" she added. The Brandon Manitoba Wine Ninjas Facebook group page can be found here. A recent thread was also started on the People of Brandon Facebook page with pictures and postings of various gift baskets being left on doorsteps and links to different groups within the city.