NICE NET
Port Coquitlam firefighters who grew 'staches for Movember - a November-long moustache campaign to build awareness and money for prostate cancer - staged a charity hockey tournament last month at Planet Ice in Coquitlam. Sixteen teams with members from fire departments around the Lower Mainland netted more than $10,000 for the cause through entry fees, a raffle and a 50/50 draw at the event. As a result, PoCo smoke-eaters collected nearly $12,800 for the month, placing them fifth in the Great Canadian Fire Department Challenge - "a huge accomplishment for a small department with only 63 members," said spokespersonRyan Masi in an email to The Tri-City News.
NO LITTER BUGS
A Coquitlam elementary class got a visit from - and a free meal with - Tri-City MP Fin Donnelly last month after it won his litterless lunch challenge. Riverview Park elementary's Grade 3/4 class, under the direction ofSandra Allen and Leah Donnelly, went 91% trash-free during Waste Reduction Week, Oct. 15 to 19. More than 50 classes in 10 schools in School District 43 took part in the NDP MP's third annual challenge.
WITH A BOW
An annual benefit at Coquitlam Centre mall last month resulted in $66,000 for charities including the Share Family and Community Services.Unwrapped - A Charitable Night of Giving on Nov. 20 featured food, shopping deals and entertainment for the 4,000 attendees.
NATIONAL WINS
A Port Coquitlam seniors' residence centre last month clinched three national awards in Toronto.Amica at Mayfair garnered the general manager of the year, highest number of move-ins and high net operating income accolades at the Amica Mature Lifestyles Annual Leadership Awards Gala. There are 23 Amica Wellness & Vitality Residences in Ontario and B.C. "This is a tremendous accomplishment for a small community of Port Coquitlam, especially in today's competitive world of retirement living," saidPierce Ivan,general manager of Amica at Mayfair, in a news release. "Hard work, a caring and passionate team and making a difference in the lives of our residents on a daily basis were the ingredients of our success."
CAR TO COLLEGE
A car rental company has rolled out a financial aid program for female business students atDouglas College, which has a campus in Coquitlam. Enterprise Holdings and the Enterprise Holdings Foundation recently donated the $8,000 gift. "The support of our female students by Enterprise Holdings and its foundation is a fantastic demonstration of businesses in our community helping develop future business leaders, saidHazel Postma, the college's associate VP External, in a news release.
PRAISE THEM
Grade 8 students at a Port Coquitlam high school are spreading the cheer this and next month by serving up hot meals to the homeless in the Tri-Cities. TheHope Lutheran Christian students are taking part in the Bridge Shelter program (formerly the cold/wet weather mat program), which is running out of the Grace Christian Church on Kingsway Avenue in PoCo.
TUITION $
Two Tri-City residents got early Christmas presents from the provincial government with cash to pay for their post-secondary education.Theodora Runtova andShingirai Makaye will use their BC Housing Education Awards, valued at $750 each, to help with their Douglas College tuition and books. Runtova, a Bulgarian native, is studying marketing while Makaye is working towards her bachelor of science degree in nursing. Both women were eligible for the money as they live in subsidized housing or are receiving rent subsidy through BC Housing's rental assistance program.
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