I have once again opened up an online Miss604 store in support of a wonderful local cause! In partnership with MAKE Vancouver and my BFF Michelle Kim, the Surrey BFF Collection is now ready to shop with proceeds supporting Options BC youth programs in Surrey, BC.
Collaborating on projects in Surrey since 1985: Michelle Kim and I met in kindergarten at Hjorth Road Elementary and we’ve been BFFs ever since! We have worked on projects together and supported the community for over three decades – from across the playground to around the globe – and we’re so excited to work together once again on such an important campaign.
I Heart Surrey – it’s as simple as that! Show some love for the province’s largest city by land area and second most populated in Metro Vancouver. This is the heart of the whole campaign, from the love of friends and family, to the love of community and supporting youth through Options BC programming and services.
“Green Timbers Urban Forest” is one of Surrey’s largest parks with over 10 kilometres of nature trails, a regularly stocked fishing lake, picnic areas, and the Surrey Nature Centre all nestled in a scenic second-growth forest.
“Bear Creek Park” is arguably the most popular park in the city! Home to an outdoor pool, the popular track, playground, gardens, the Bear Creek Miniature Train, the Surrey Arts Centre and kilometers of walking trails.
Last year, fifty women (myself included) came together to fundraise for a new affordable housing build south of the Fraser in honour of the 50th anniversary of Options Community Services. The Women of Options campaign began in February 2021, and in November it reached its $1.5 million goal. The group’s efforts had such an impact that the organization has once again assembled a mix of senior executives, volunteers, celebrities, and leaders in their communities to raise funds for youth in the community.
Options is primarily funded by various levels of government yet are constrained in using funds to support these needs due to the number of youth who require unique support, and the variety of situations that cannot be met within a program or designated funding’s parameters.
Funds raised through the campaign will assist youth at risk in a wide variety of ways such as:
Help pay for clothing so that they can attend a graduation ceremony or a job interview with their head held high
Cover day care or tuition costs for a young mother so that she can complete an educational program that allows her to provide a better life for her young family
Pay first and last month’s rent when no other funds are available
Help a young person further their independence by paying for driving lessons or getting their driver’s licence which is often needed for employment
Help with the cost of sports or recreation fees so that children can join their peers in activities that build skills, friendships and self-esteem
One of the very best parts of summer is back, thanks to the City of Burnaby, as free outdoor movies, entertainment, and concerts return to public spaces and local parks this season.
Family Entertainment for All Ages
Entertainment weekly from July 4 to September 1, 2022
Mondays to Thursdays at Confederation Park (4709 Pandora St, Burnaby) beside the water park
Top-notch family friendly entertainers, including the Blues Berries, a unique hybrid of blues and children’s tunes, Vancouver Puppet Theatre, Cosmo’s Clown Circus Show, Kellie Haines Ventriloquist, traditional and contemporary Métis dance group V’ni Dansi, well known children’s entertainer Will Stroet and the energetic Axe Capoeira acrobatic dance troupe will take the stage as part of the Burnaby Summer Stages series.
Summer Cinema is every Friday starting August 12 until September 2
Civic Square (6100 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby)
Movies start at 8:30pm, rain or shine
Every Friday, families can enjoy great movies such as Clifford the Big Red Dog (August 12), Paddington 2 (August 19), Shaun the Sheep Movie (August 26), and Ron’s Gone Wrong (September 2). New this year will be movie night showcasing The Lego Movie on Saturday, August 20 at Edmonds Park (7433 Humphries Ave).
Free Pop-Up Performances
Look for more live music in public spaces as part of Sounds Like Summer, with outdoor entertainment popping up June 30 to September 4.
From Central Park to Maple Grove Park, Lou Moro Park to Avondale Park, Willingdon Heights, and Edmonds Youth Centre, make sure to check out the full schedule of free pop-up performances online here.
For more information, be sure to follow the City of Burnaby on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest updates on what they have planned this summer.
In late July, BC Place’s Northern Lights Display will be inspired by the “Light the Path” Orange Shirt, designed by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist Debra Sparrow along with her grandsons Isaiah and Cyler for Hope and Health, an organization that maximizes the power of sport to engage, educate, and empower Indigenous youth to improve long-term health and life outcomes.
The “Light the Path” Orange Shirt designed by Debra Sparrow and grandsons Isaiah and Cyler.
BC Place Light the Path Orange Shirt Illumination
Similar to the “Light the Path” Orange Shirt, the illumination will feature 215 stars against an orange background. The nighttime display around the stadium’s exterior will run on July 24 and July 25, 2022.
“Finding the 215 children buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School touched everyone so deeply. Speaking with my two grandchildren, it seemed to have sparked something deep within us,” said Sparrow, whose artwork was also previously featured on the Northern Lights Display last February. “It’s as if the children shone a light, the earth opened up, and instead of darkness, the light came through. The stars that each of them have become are shining on us, and they are going to light the path for us.”
The stadium light show coincides with the Hope and Health Community Camp at BC Place on July 25, which is now open for registration. Featuring enhanced cultural teachings as well as training sessions with coaches, mentors, and traditional knowledge carriers, the Hope and Health Community Camp is the latest addition to the stadium’s community-building programming for 2022.
Next month’s illumination schedule also includes a Maple Leaf show for Canada Day weekend, a rainbow illumination for the Vancouver Pride Festival, and a Summer show featuring the province’s vibrant colours of the season from July 10 to 14, 2022.
About Hope and Health
The Hope and Health movement utilizes the beautiful game of soccer and mentorship to inspire hope, as well as improve the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and life conditions for Indigenous children and youth. The team is committed to come together as one heart, one mind to maximize sport as a tool for reconciliACTION in relation to the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls To Action, specific to Sports and Reconciliation (87-91). Their vision is for Indigenous children and youth to carry themselves with pride and confidence, achieve their highest potential and dream big.
Order your own Light the Path Orange Shirt online here. All net proceeds will go towards Hope and Health sport for development community based programming, including a Musqueam based H3 program start up + many others around the province in 2022.
