Hoops for Hope: South Island Angels Fundraiser

I’d like to introduce you to Danreb Domingo, or Mister Sunday as we call him around the shop! Dan has been a close friend since he came to Canada from Pangasinan 16 years ago. He’s been a galvanizing force in our community, beloved by the youth and elderly alike. I see Dan as running an informal ministry. He’s known to spend time with and support members of our community, especially those who are newly arrived from the Philippines and are struggling with finding friends, guidance, and support.

Dan’s inspired words and counsel have often touched me deeply, and I can feel we are both after one heart. I think this is a sentiment a lot of my Pinoy friends feel about Dan, as well as on the Lopez crew. Dan is often here later in the day, if not to work, but only to help out. People on team loudly cheer “Mister Sunday!” as he walks in. He’s a real galvanizer, morale booster, and valuable team player for so many.

Basketball is something Dan is always encouraging us to get into. It’s a clean, healthy, and wholesome activity for the youth and us oldies as well! If it weren’t for Dan snapping me out of my overtime hyperfocus episodes, I’d spend all my time in the shop! Instead, I get to create beautiful memories with my family and on the court.

After 16 long years, Dan is going back to the Philippines to reconnect with himself and his family. But before he leaves, he wants to return some of the love he’s found at both the Filipino and Basketball Victoria communities “It’s really hard to leave all my people and the memories here, but I want to raise my community up before I go. I want to leave a happy legacy for all the respect and support I got.” Dan told me.

We want to do something for Dan too. It’s always been a dream for Dan to play in the Filipino Victoria Basketball League 2024 with a dream team of his circle. The league happens every year, and it’s been a huge staple of Victoria’s culture for the past 13 years. This year, the entrance fee is $2,750, and we’re looking to fundraise for Dan’s own team, the South Island Angels! Named after both the South Vancouver Island, as well as the South Island in the Philippines we are from, it’s looking to be a show stopper of a team!

We would love it if you would donate directly to the South Island Angels. We are especially looking for any businesses who would like to sponsor the South Island Angels for their logo to be included on the team Jersey.

If you know Dan, you might know that he is an MVP among us, both on and off the court. We’d be so glad if you help us bid goodbye to him with the Victoria send-off he deserves. We believe this collective gesture from us working together will leave a happy legacy, both as a FVBL season, but also in our community memory. Please do get in touch with me if you are interested in joining, Dan and I would be thrilled to hear from you!