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Interview — An interview with Virginia Photo — Virginia's photo Cover Photo — Book cover photo Press Release — For immediate release Book Review — A sample book review Christmas Experts |
A primary teacher and teacher-librarian for over twenty-five years, Virginia is the author of Gifts from the Heart: Simple Ways to Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful. Initially, Gifts from the Heart was written as a fundraiser for The Canadian Cancer Society after Virginia's small school lost several parents and their secretary to cancer. A revised and expanded edition of Gifts from the Heart has now been released by Insomniac Press. Virginia's royalties will continue to support cancer research.
Gifts from the Heart has been described as “a book disguised as a miracle-a gift that keeps on giving,” (The Ottawa Citizen and Vancouver Sun), and has raised over $98,000 for cancer research while helping dozens of other organizations raise an additional $138,000 for their own “Gifts from the Heart.” Several credit unions have supported hospice care, food banks, and young leadership programs. Women's groups have created scholarships and bursaries, initiated books for babies programs, purchased cell phones for women at risk from domestic violence, and supported breast cancer research. Churches have used their portion of sales to send young congregation members to Mexico to build housing, to support palliative care in Canada and Africa, and to provide equipment for the hearing impaired.
Equally as important as raising funds for research was Virginia's wish to write a book that would encourage readers to create a more caring holiday. “We've heard from hundreds of readers that our book has made a difference in the way they celebrate the holidays,” says Virginia. "Christmas provides countless opportunities to show friends and family how much we love them. And ultimately, all we truly own are our memories. It's so important to use our time to create a celebration that focuses on friends, family, and caring for others."
Virginia has shared the inspiring story behind Gifts from the Heart with audiences of 250 to 425 in Vancouver, Toronto and Vancouver Island. She has appeared on television and radio, and has contributed articles about creating a more meaningful holiday to many newspapers, magazines, and online publications, including Canadian Living Online and MSN.ca.
Virginia won the National Council of the Canadian Cancer Society's Community Champion Award for her support of cancer research. Previous recipients of this prestigious award include the Scotia Bank Group, Bombardier, and Quebecor. She has also been recognized by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy for her "innovative and caring" book.
Virginia encourages her primary students to be “mini-volunteers” at every opportunity. “Educating children's hearts is as important as educating their minds,” says Virginia. “Emotional literacy enables children to lead richer, more fulfilling lives. We need people who care!”