WAR AMPS
Tri-City amputees Caroline McDonald, Jasmine Carlin and Julianna Russo took part in The War Amps 2013 BC Child Amputee seminar, which marked the group's 95th anniversary this year. McDonald, 19, of Coquitlam, lost her left leg from cancer while Carlin, 18, of Port Coquitlam was born missing part of her left hand and Russo, 14, also a PoCo resident, was born without her right hand. The seminar focused on developments in artificial limbs, among other things.
JA CASH
A Pinetree secondary student has won a Junior Achievement of BC scholarship for entrepreneurial studies. Jordan Yep, who will attend BCIT, accepted his award on Thursday in Vancouver.
NATIONAL MEDAL
Two Port Moody smoke-eaters have reaped federal awards for their exemplary service. At an annual ceremony, Joe Rae and Arile Gatzka received the medals for their 30 years in the fire service.
RCMP AWARDS
Several Coquitlam Mounties, civilian staff and volunteers were recognized last month by the detachment's superintendent for their outstanding work. Officer-in-charge Claude Wilcott paid tribute to Cpl. Daniel Rettenbacher (OIC certificate of appreciation); Lyndsay Kay, Steven Fruendt, Jonathan Myers, Donald Mancinelli, Brittany Fremeau and Const. Chris Nordland (OIC valour awards); Sgt. Farid Siddiqui, Const. Danielle Pollock, Cherri Woode, Jonathan Ho and Darlene Browning (OIC community services awards); Darlene Kent Sommer Kinney and Sgt. Gary Yeung (OIC leadership awards); Const. Colin Kent, Const. Ryan Smith, Teresa Book, Stephanie Unrau and Const. Sonpreet Gill (OIC excellence in performance); as well as members of the youth detail and major crime sections, and drug suppression team.
GLOW WITH IT
About 200 women shared stories, heard inspiring presentations and dined on chocolate mousse during the second annual Glow: A Women's Evening of Change and Celebration, held at Coquitlam's Executive Plaza Hotel last month. The gala event brought in more than $3,000 for Tri-City Transitions to furnish two rooms in a new transition house for women fleeing domestic abuse.
PLANTING JDRF $
Rose Vander Zalm, who owns Art Knapp in Port Coquitlam with her husband Wim, hosted the business' 25th annual Ladies' Night last month and sprouted $4,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The event featured a fashion show and a gardening workshop with Wim. The Vander Zalms have been part of the foundation since their youngest son was diagnosed nine years ago with type 1 diabetes. "JDRF is dedicated to researching a cure, treating and preventing type 1 diabetes. Art Knapp is delighted to be a part of working towards finding a cure and grateful to all of our contributing sponsors, volunteers and event attendees for their participation," Wim said in a release.
C4D
Cycling4Diversity travelled through the Tri-Cities last month during its designated Cycling4Diversity Week in B.C. The C4D team went from Victoria to Abbotsford on a four-day journey, speaking to schools on topics such as cultural diversity, inclusion and racism. Among those who took part were Harpreet Singh, Ken Herar, Bill MacGregor, Kulwinder Singh Dhillon and Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart.
OR-FUNDS
Andrew Stokes, manager of Pajos restaurant, which has locations in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, was among the supporters of a May 31 event at Woody's Pub in Coquitlam to collect cash for two kids who were recently left orphaned following the death of their parents in a car crash. Their aunt, who works at Eagle Ridge Hospital in PoMo, hosted the fundraiser in aid of the Langley children.
HOPE FROM HOPE
Grade 8 students at Port Coquitlam's Hope Lutheran school recently returned from a mission trip to Detroit and Windsor, Ont., where they helped those in need - including at a homeless shelter. The students were part of a project called Beautiful Me, a non-profit group that provides unique workshops to foster self-worth for women of all ages.
