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Class Act: Byrne Creek Leos pickleball tournament raises $6,000 for charity

The Byrne Creek Leo Club hosted its fourth annual pickleball tournament this month, raising $6,000 for charity. The event, which ran March 9 to 11, attracted 250 picklers, including the tournament’s first-ever wheelchair participant, Jeff Sylvestre.
pickleball
Jeff Sylvestre makes a shot during the Byrne Creek Leo Club’s fourth annual charity pickleball tournament at Byrne Creek Community School March 9 to 11.

The Byrne Creek Leo Club hosted its fourth annual pickleball tournament this month, raising $6,000 for charity.

The event, which ran March 9 to 11, attracted 250 picklers, including the tournament’s first-ever wheelchair participant, Jeff Sylvestre.

With 180 members, the Byrne Creek Leos – currently led by sponsor teacher Judy Fujiki – is the largest Leo Club in the world.

The student organization launched the pickleball tournament four years ago with help from Lions Club member Glenn Cho, an avid pickler.

Between 20 to 30 volunteers helped put on this year’s tournament.

Burnaby’s Got Talent

Mark your calendars. School District No. 41’s annual student talent fundraiser is back on April 16.

Every year, the District Student Advisory Council (DSAC) puts on Burnaby’s Got Talent, a charity fundraiser at the Michael J. Fox Theatre, featuring two acts from each of Burnaby’s eight high schools – everything from singing to magic and dance to beatboxing.

All proceeds go to a local charity. Last year students raised $4,800 for the Helping Families in Need Society.

This year, the money will go to the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction.

The event is April 16 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page at tinyurl.com/BurnabyTalent. For tickets go to tinyurl.com/BurnabyTalentTix

Moving on

The Burnaby school district lost its deputy money man last month.

Deputy secretary-treasurer Roy Uyeno came to School District No. 41 17 years ago and has held positions as director of finance and assistant secretary-treasurer in Burnaby.

He took up the role of secretary-treasurer in Richmond effective Feb. 16.

Uyeno, a Richmond resident, said he will miss Burnaby, but that he is leaving the district in good financial shape.

“A lot of kudos goes to the amazing staff we have in this district, especially in the finance department,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with such dedicated, committed staff.”

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