PAT ON THE BACK
The head of School District 43's international education program is getting some much-deserved recognition.
Patricia Gartland, director of instruction for the program, has been nominated for a distinguished service award with the BC Council for International Education by Senator Yonah Martin and Consul Fajun Zang of the People's Republic of China.
"It is an honour to have been nominated by two of Canada's best advocates for international education and for our international education program," stated Gartland in a press release.
FOR THE KIDS
Teachers and businesses that do an outstanding job with kids received accolades from the Tri-Cities Early Childhood Development Committee last week.
The second annual Tri-Cities' Champions for Young Children Awards of Excellence event was held at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club in Coquitlam and named the Village Toy Shop, Little Scholars YMCA Daycare, Maureen Dockendorf, Brenda Horton and Jennifer Durkin as winners.
KIDSPORT CASH
A new business in Port Coquitlam will donate a portion of its proceeds to KidSport Tri-Cities. Thrift-Opolis co-owner Hal Merritt recently handed over the company's first cheque to KidSport chair Chris Wilson.
The organization provides financial aid to kids aged five to 18 who can't afford to play sports. Thrift-Opolis is located at 2579 Lougheed Hwy. (www.thriftopolis.ca).
WALK THIS WAY
A Tri-City youth is once again breaking records when it comes to fundraising for a good cause. Last year, Zameer Devraj raised $50,000 for the World Partnership Walk, Canada's largest annual event dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight to end global poverty.
And this year Devraj is hoping to raise the same amount. The walk takes place this Sunday at Lumberman's Arch in Stanley Park. Devraj is walking in memory of his late grandfather and father, two men who were stalwart supporters of the World Partnership Walk and the fight against global poverty.
To contribute to his fundraising effort this year, go online at www.akfcnetcommunity.ca/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=617&tab=0&frsid=25753.
TAG, YOU'RE IT
Kids part of Port Coquitlam's Youth Team Action Force and Teens Against Graffiti rolled up their sleeves on Tuesday to tackle BC Hydro boxes that had been tagged.
The "paint-out" project saw the boxes in Aggie Park, Maple Street and Elgin Avenue, and behind Dairy Queen get spruced up, said organizers Chris Eastman. "I'm very proud of the youth team.
These kids are putting their heads together and coming up with their own ideas about how they would like to change our neighborhoods for the better."
