Burnaby resident Melissa Sumpton is undergoing weeks of intensive training to join one of the most recognizable military units in the country - the Ceremonial Guard of the Canadian Armed Forces.
This summer, the 26-year-old reservist will be a corporal with the Ceremonial Guard, which only selects the best recruits for their unit. Sumpton joined for the chance to play in the band that's part of the Ceremonial Guard. Sumpton will wear the signature tailored red uniform and tall bearskin hat. The Ceremonial Guard performances are one of the top tourists attractions in Ottawa.
Relay on
The B.C. Lions Society is hosting a relay this weekend in Swangard Stadium to raise money for the Easter Seals camping program.
It's a 24-hour relay, running from Saturday at 10 a.m. till Sunday at 10 a.m.
People from all over the Lower Mainland will run and walk in relay teams through Burnaby's Central Park to raise money for the camp program. So if you're out for a stroll in the park, be sure to cheer these folks on, because they will be running for a good cause, to send children and young adults with physical and cognitive disabilities to summer camp.
For more information on the camping program, go to www.eastersealscamps.ca.
Book give-away
We have a free copy of Severn and the Day She Silenced the World by Janet Wilson, published by Second Story Press.
Severn Suzuki is the daughter of David Suzuki, well known scientist and environmental activist. Not to be overshadowed by her dad, Severn made a name for herself with a powerful speech in 1992, given at the first Earth Summit in Brazil. She was just 12 years old then, but her words shook the adults in the audience, and a Youtube video of her talk, titled The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes, went viral on the Internet, garnering more than 27 million hits. (If you haven't seen the video, I urge you to watch it; it's an incredibly powerful speech and it gives me chills every time.)
The book, Severn and the Day She Silenced the World, is based on true events, featuring Severn's tale and the obstacles she overcame with the kids' organization she started to help protect the environment. I would guess the book is geared towards tweens and early teens.
The first person to email me at [email protected] with Severn in the subject line receives the book. The only catch is you must pick it up at our office. I have a few books to give away, so keep an eye on this column for more freebies in the coming issues.
