ROLL IT UP
Coquitlam Mounties, detachment civilian staff and firefighters from Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam rolled up their sleeves on Monday for the Canadian Blood Services.
The donations were in support of Const. Mike Murray, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. An RCMP officer since April 2011, Murray has been part of the Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast and the junior Mountie camp.
Last year, Supt. Claude Wilcott recognized Murray's volunteer efforts with an award for community service. The blood drive was organized by Const. Katarzyna Sullivan.
CHILLY DIP
Port Coquitlam's Ron Laidman stripped down for his 35th dip in the Vancouver Polar Bear swim on Jan. 1. The new year's tradition was also shared with 2,300 other brave souls this year, said Diane Moran, a well-known visual artist and educator, who surprised her partner with a night out at the Wedgewood Hotel as well.
Meanwhile, some 350 New Year's Day revellers, including a few in fancy costume, were part of the annual Penguin Plunge in Port Moody on Jan. 1.
The event raised $1,300 for the Pleasantside community association, which will pay for Old Orchard Hall activities such as Play Pals, seniors' badminton and can can dancing. Spokesperson Nicki Forster said more families got soaked this year.
WELCOME
Douglas College recently named a new member to its foundation board.
Jamal Khan, a Douglas college grad and manager of Desjardins in New Westminster, was appointed last November to the foundation of the college, which has a campus in Coquitlam City Centre, to join three other new board members: Paul Holden, the CEO of BBOT; New West lawyer Michael J. Edwards; and Golnaz Aliyarzadeh, a court interpreter from North Vancouver. They were appointed in September.
Also on the board is Nigel Lark, the publisher of The Tri-City News.
CHIP AWAY
The 10th annual tree chip organized by the Port Moody firefighters last weekend hauled in more than $9,000 for the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund.
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