TOY DRIVE TIME
Coquitlam RCMP dispatchers launched their third annual 911 We Care Toy Drive this month in partnership with Share, the cities of Coquitlam and Port Moody, and RCMP community police stations. Since the program started two years ago, thousands of gifts have been collected for Tri-City families in need with children aged 0 to 17. "It warms my heart to see the smiles on those cute little faces when they open up their gifts. My colleagues and I need more help from the communities to bring joy for more children this year," said Gail Conrod, Coquitlam RCMP's dispatch supervisor, in a news release. To drop off new, unwrapped toys by Dec. 12, visit the Coquitlam RCMP detachment or local community police stations.
DESIGNER FINALIST
A Coquitlam resident studying at Vancouver Community College is among six B.C. students who made it to the Top 25 in the annual TELIO Canada's emerging designers contest. Darya Ahmadi will present her creation in February during Montreal Fashion Week. The winner will be announced Feb. 9. Now in its seventh year, the competition offers scholarships to young designers.
LOVIN' IT
Coquitlam's Yang Yang is $10,000 richer after playing a game at McDonald's. The university student ordered a 10-piece McNugget meal and peeled off the Instant Win sticker for Monopoly. Yang was recognized at a celebration Thursday at the Walmart McDonald's in Lougheed Town Centre mall, where he won the cash.
TREE ART
Coquitlam's Anna Xin, 11, and Jane Katili, 12, were named runners-up in their age category for an art contest hosted by the Association of BC Forest Professionals and the Truck Loggers Association. More than 870 children took part in the competition, which asked them to create a work of art showing what the forest means to them.
NO LITTERBUGS
Students at Coquitlam's Baker Drive elementary were the winners in NDP MP Fin Donnelly's litterless lunch challenge. Donnelly (New Westminster-Coquitlam) announced in the House of Commons this week that Karen MacKay's class went litter-free for a week. Donnelly issues the annual challenge to schools in his riding during Waste Reduction Week, Oct. 17 to 21. This year, more 50 classes from Baker Drive, F.W. Howay, Lord Baden-Powell, Moody, Ranch Park and Rochester elementaries and Maillard middle took part.
