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Organic Okanagan FestivalOrganic Okanagan Festival

In 2009, Choices partnered with The Okanagan Greens Society and SummerHill Winery to bring Okanagan consumers the Organic Okanagan Festival. The event aims at showing people how many simple choices they can make that will have an incredible positive impact on the environment.

Wendy Wright, organizer of the Organic Okanagan Festival, put together a short film of the 2009 festival. To view the film, click the following link: www.okanagangreens.ca

Choices Star of the Season and Hamper ProgramChoices Star of the Season and Hamper Program

December 2009 - METRO VANCOUVER: With overwhelming support from our loyal customers in December, Choices was able to donate over $30,000 to eight neighbourhood houses around Metro Vancouver and the Okanagan. The funds go to improving the programs and facilities each organization offers for the community.

Choices’ suppliers also proved their generous spirits and donated product to fill over 200 boxes of food. The food items went to brighten the lives of so many families in need this holiday season.

Links for the neighbourhood houses:

• Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society
• West Side Family Place
• Gordon Neighbourhood House
• Marpole Oakridge Family Place
• South Burnaby Neighbourhood House
• Fraserside Community Services
• Semiahmoo Family Place
• The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society

Choices would also like to thank all of its suppliers for their generous donations:

Burnaby South Secondary Christmas PerformanceBurnaby South Secondary Christmas Performance

December 2009 - BURNABY CREST: The Christmas spirit was in full swing as the Wind and String Ensemble from Burnaby South Secondary played a myriad of Christmas songs for customers and staff. After the performance, Choices presented the Ensemble with a cheque for over $300. The proceeds were a portion of Choices Spring Plant Sales and will benefit the Music Department at Burnaby South Secondary, headed by Ms. Rosemary Bell. Choices also donated the same amount to seven other secondary schools in Metro Vancouver and the Okanagan.

Choices Kerrisdale Haunted HouseChoices Kerrisdale Haunted House

October 2009 - KERRISDALE: A crisp clear night saw plenty of ghosts, goblins and ghouls at the Haunted House at Choices Kerrisdale. In addition to a spooky haunted house inside the store, festivities included a donation barbeque, sweet treats for the trick-or-treaters and a vibrant fireworks display. The night’s events raised over $1000 that will be donated to Stepping Stone Preschool.

Choices Pumpkin SalesChoices Pumpkin Sales

October 2009: During the month of October, Choices donates $1 from every pumpkin sold to eight different elementary schools. This year’s proceeds totaled over $3500 that will be divided up between the schools. Along with donating partial proceeds from our pumpkin sales, Choices also donates pumpkins to each school to be used for carving Jack O’lanterns.

Choices South Surrey Oktoberfest CelebrationsChoices South Surrey Oktoberfest Celebrations

October 2009 - SOUTH SURREY: Choices Markets South Surrey hosted their annual Oktoberfest Celebrations. A brilliant, sunny day and live music by Silverstars made the event a joyous occasion for all ages. With bratwurst on the menu, the staff held a donation barbeque and raised nearly $600 for the South Fraser Women’s Services Society.

Great Pumpkin Run/WalkGreat Pumpkin Run/Walk

October 2009 - SOUTH SURREY: For the second year in a row Choices was happy to be on of the sponsors of the Great Pumpkin Run/Walk benefitting Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation. Runners from the community bundled up and braved the cold in support of the cause. Choices Markets joined in the event and handed out reusable shopping bags filled with healthy goodies.

UBC Apple Festival, UBC Botanical GardensUBC Apple Festival, UBC Botanical Gardens

October 2009 - VANCOUVER: Even in pouring rain, the annual UBC Apple Festival was a success on October 18 -19. Proceeds from the festival go to support garden initiatives for UBC’s Botanical Gardens. Again this year, Choices participated in the event by hosting the Longest Apple Peeling Contest. People of all ages chose participated in the contest. Over both days, the longest peel measured 126 inches (3.2 metres). Congratulations to those who won the contest and for everyone who discovered they do have a knack for peeling apples after all. See you next year

Choices Scholarship AwardChoices Scholarship Award

September 2009: Choices Markets awarded Mathew Svienson with a scholarship amounting $500. Renowned for his intelligence, Mathew has been with Choices South Surrey for over four years. He has worked in the produce department and has been a dedicated team member from day one. Congratulations, Mathew! Choices Markets wishes you all the best with your education.

South Surrey DonationsSouth Surrey Donations

September 2009 - SOUTH SURREY: During an anniversary weekend, Choices South Surrey donated over $3200 to the Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation. The proceeds were collected from the Choices Wellness Seminars hosted every month at our South Surrey location. With a pancake breakfast during the anniversary celebrations, Choices South Surrey also raised an additional $750 for the Peace Arch Hospital.

Later that month, Choices South Surrey hosted a fundraiser barbeque and donated the net proceeds to Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest science and advocacy organization dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

2009 Ismaili Walk for Women2009 Ismaili Walk for Women

September 2009 - VANCOUVER: Once again, Choices Markets was proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Ismaili Walk for Women that benefits the Women's Health Research Institute at BC Women’s Hospital. This year's Walk took place on Sunday, September 27 at Lumberman's Arch in Stanley Park. With an incredible turnout and plenty of sunshine for everyone, the Walk was a success raising over $280,000 to benefit BC Women's Health Research Institute. Thank you to all who took part. Hope to see you again next year.

Kokanee Salmon Festival, Mission Creek Regional ParkKokanee Salmon Festival, Mission Creek Regional Park

September 2009 - KELOWNA: On Sunday, September 20, Choices Markets Kelowna took part in the annual Kokanee Salmon Festival at Mission Creek Regional Park. The festival is designed to raise awareness about the long-term health of fish populations. People from all over the Okanagan gather at the festival to watch the red-coloured kokanee salmon spawning in the creek. During the day’s event, there was no shortage of educational activities, and Choices staff was on hand to pass out complimentary reusable shopping bags filled with coupons and snacks.

Organic Okanagan FestivalOrganic Okanagan Festival

September 2009 - KELOWNA: On Sunday, September 20, Summerhill Pyramid Winery hosted the 4th Annual Organic Okanagan Festival to raise awareness about the simplicity of living green. For the first time Choices Markets Kelowna took part in the event as a Green Sprout Sponsor. The event featured Certified Organic farms and businesses, Fair Trade companies, Okanagan Sustainability information, Natural Health Care, Recycling and Composting info, local artisans and music and lots of children’s fun.

Sharing Our Wealth FestivalSharing Our Wealth Festival

September 2009 - VANCOUVER: The annual Sharing Our Wealth Festival, put on by the Douglas Park Community Centre, took place on Sunday, September 20. As the Main Stage Sponsor, Choices Markets was pleased to take part in the day’s events. Throughout the day there was live entertainment, a silent auction, a carnival, community games, face painting, a barbeque, community information displays. The highlight of the day being the Harvest-themed Lego Creations Contest. Donations for the Vancouver Food Bank were collected.

First Annual Okanagan Feast of FieldsFirst Annual Okanagan Feast of Fields

August 2009 - SUMMERLAND: On Sunday, August 23, the first annual Okanagan Feast of Fields took place at Valentine Farm in Summerland, British Columbia. Choices Markets was proud to take part in benchmark event as a sponsor. Coordinated by Rhys Pender, the festival was a major success as the very best of BC’s chefs, vintners, brewers, farmers and food artisans gathered together to celebrate the amazing bounty of the Okanagan. During the event, Choices presented a cheque to FarmFolk/CityFolk for over $2000 to help support the organizations efforts to create a community-based sustainable food system.

Music Fest Vancouver GiveawayMusic Fest Vancouver Giveaway

August 2009 - VANCOUVER: This past August, Choices partnered with MusicFest Vancouver to create an audience contest with fantastic prizes — $1000 in Choices Reloadable Gift Cards . Congratulations to contest winner Jocelyn Pritchard of Vancouver. We're particularly pleased that the winner is a longtime musician who attended seven festival concerts and events this year.
(Photo: Festival Administrative Director, Morna Edmundson; contest winner, Jocelyn Pritchard; Manager, Kerrisdale Choices, Nancy Capasso)

Tour de White RockTour de White Rock

July 2009 - WHITE ROCK: On July 17–19,2009 as a Bronze Sponsor, Choices Markets supported the historical Tour de White Rock. The cycling race is a grueling 130 km test of endurance and strength where cyclists tackle the steep seaside hills of the City of White Rock. Choices Markets was on hand cheer for the cyclists and presented medals to the winners. Choices would like to thank Lara Bar and Fiji Water for their generous donations to the Tour de White Rock.

Kelowna General Hospital BBQ FundraiserKelowna General Hospital BBQ Fundraiser

July 2009 - KELOWNA: On Saturday, July 11, Choices Markets Kelowna hosted a barbecue fundraiser for the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. With a four-hour barbecue, Choices managed to raise over $300 for the Foundation. The afternoon was bright and sunny, perfect weather for an outdoor gathering. Staff from Kelowna General participated in the barbecue and provided clowns for the afternoon’s festivities. For more information on the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation visit www.kghfoundation.com.

Pacific Spirit RunPacific Spirit Run

May 2009 - VANCOUVER: Choices was proud to take part as the Gold Sponsor in the 20th anniversary of the Pacific Spirit Run at Thunderbird Stadium, UBC on Saturday, May 9, 2009. People from all over Metro Vancouver gathered at the event to raise money and awareness about dementia research funded by Tapestry Foundation for Health Care. Choices Markets would like to especially thank Pro Organics, Kiju, Olympic Dairy and Florimex for donating product toward the Pacific Spirit Run.