A self-advocacy group for people with disabilities is holding a fundraiser tonight (Friday, Feb. 24) to send its members to a conference in late May.
The fundraiser is from 6 to 10 p.m. at Station Square Pub by Burnaby's Metrotown SkyTrain station. A $20 ticket includes a beef, chicken or veggie burger, and a drink. There will be a 50-50 draw and DVDs for sale as well.
Proceeds go to B.C. People First, which is planning on sending some of its members to an upcom-ing conference hosted by the B.C. Association for Community Living. For tickets, call 604-415-4503. For more on B.C. People First, go to bcpeoplefirst. wordpress.com.
NEW GYM
St. Thomas More Collegiate has managed to raise $6.2 million - yes, million - to pay for the school's new gym.
"It's a lot of dough, especially for a school that has mostly middleclass and working-class families," said STM's Jen Shelnutt-Jayme. "We weren't really sure we could do it."
The independent Catholic school's 1960s gym isn't big enough to handle the number of kids now enrolled.
Some of the $6.2 million is coming from five-year pledges. The biggest chunk of change came from the StanJean Foundation, which donated $2 million. STM asked the school's 500 or so families to pitch in $600 each, but many donated more than that. The new gym should be ready by September 2013 at the latest.
KIDS' FESTIVAL
The National Congress of Black Women Foundation is holding a special children's festival for Black History Month this Saturday.
The Feb. 25 event starts at 1 p.m. at Bonsor Recreation Complex.
It's called the Tropical Rhythms fashion and talent show, and there will be games, face painting, music and more. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. For more information, call 604-605-0124.
