Journey Home Community Association is hoping to raise $30,000 to help local refugees.
Burnaby has one of the largest refugees populations in the Lower Mainland, and Journey Home specializes in helping asylum-seeking refugees, people who often need assistance while their claims are being processed.
The Burnaby faith-based organization has helped an estimated 370 refugees since forming in 2005. That’s not bad for a volunteer group that raises money by running a local thrift store. To get involved or make a donation, go to www.journeyhomecommunity.ca.
Help for typhoon victims
There are only a few more days left to donate to help typhoon victims in the Philippines and have the Canadian government match funds.
SUCCESS has partnered with the Canadian Red Cross to help collect donations for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines last month and killed at least 5,000 people. The federal government has offered to match funds donated by Canadian up until Dec. 9. To stretch your donation further, get in touch with Burnaby’s SUCCESS office by calling 604-430-1899. SUCCESS is one of the Lower Mainland’s largest social service groups for immigrants.
Idle No More
There’s an upcoming event in the works to mark the one-year anniversary of the Idle No More movement.
The event is planned for Sunday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m. at Metropolis at Metrotown. Details are a bit vague, but there will be a focus on farmed salmon, the Enbridge pipeline, concerns over Bill C-45 and Stephen Harper, and of course, Idle No More, the cross-Canada movement that sought to highlight issues important for First Nations. People should meet at the entrance near the McDonald’s on the north side of the mall, and there may be a peaceful march through Metropolis.
Boat safety
The Burnaby Power Sail and Squadron is running safety courses for boat operators who need their pleasure craft operator certificate. The courses start on Jan. 14. Call 604-970-0232 or go to www.burnabysquadron.com to enroll.
Scout celebration
A Burnaby scouting group is celebrating its 40th anniversary at Willingdon Church, and organizers are inviting anyone who has been involved in the program over the past four decades. The event is set for Feb. 21 and is open to past volunteers or members of the fourth, south-west program, which now has close to 100 enrolled youth and 25 volunteers. Burnaby residents Elizabeth and Lionel Leonard, who founded the local program will be honoured at the celebration. For more information, call chairperson Rick Pennington at 604-220-7916. Pennington is hoping to fill the venue with 1,400 people for a 90-minute presentation.
