"When I came here, I was looking for a community. Then I realized I was helping create one."
​~Anom 

Apologies for the delay in this post, busy weeks and then Spring Break!
​We had a busy morning, lots of updates, including:

• Kurling at the Abbotsford Curling Club March 5 1 to 5pm
• Key Club is coming to visit on April 11
• Scholarship Dinner with Peter B and School District #33 on March 2
  
• Chilliwack Hospice Gala is on March 4
• DCM in Sumas is March 13
• Soup Kitchen is March 11
• We received a lovely letter from the Spina Bifida group, thanking us for our donation in Valerie Tunbridge's name
• IHOP breakfast is on March 7
• Bowls of Hope annual dinner fundraiser is on May 5
• Board Meeting is on March 7

​John celebrated his birthday, we made sure he did not forget and we had guest speaker, Steve Anderson, from Chilliwack Senior Secondary this morning. Steve was here to talk to us about the Human Services Career Program he oversees at CSSS. This program is in partnership with SD#33, UFV, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The program aims "to create a reciprocal learning environment where CSSS, UFV and elementary students are learning together through relevant, engaging real life experiences." Steve spoke of some 'game-changing' cases where students were able to help students overcome barriers. This program empowers students, and sounds like it is having a very positive impact on our community and schools.
We wrapped up with Happy Bucks and a hope that the snow can stay away so Spring can arrive!

​Yours in Service,

​Michelle

"Do not forget, no one else see the world the way you do,
so no one else can tell the stories that you can tell about the world."
~ Anom

Another great morning!

Today we welcome Mike and Cindy from Bowls of Hope as guests, and I was delighted to welcome Doug McLean again this morning, not as a guest though, but as our newest member! Welcome to the team Doug! We look forward to working with you more! We celebrated the birthdays of Courtney, Bill and John! And we welcomed Vic back!
Such an awesome morning!
Some Updates:

• Kiwanis Kurling - March 5 at the Abbotsford Curling Club 1pm to 5pm. COme enjoy an afternoon of throwing rocks!
• IHop Pancake Breakfast, for the Children's Hospital, a sign-up went around for March 7, 7am to 7pm, Dennis has the sign-up if you are interested 
• Sheila has Super Reader while Arley is away, she has a few assemblies so thank you to everyone who is helping out.
• Our District Council Meeting (DCM) is March 13, in Sumas at 7pm, SIGN meeting takes place at 5pm. All are welcome to attend and get an inside scoop about what's happening around the district.
• Last night we held our Budget meeting- great turnout, looking forward to supporting Sardis Secondary and their Key Club starting soon! Another great opportunity to work with kids of our community!
• Also we got invited to Kiwanis Golden Ears' Canada 150th Birthday Bash - March 25 6:15pm, dinner at 7:30pm $25. I have more information if you would like it.

We had two programs on deck today as Program. Bowls of Hope. and Operation Red Nose.
We are blessed to present a cheque to Bowls of Hope to help continue their amazing contribution to our community schools. We learned that they now serve 20/31 schools and have the Chilliwack School District as a partner! These are fabulous developments since we last saw them about 6 months ago! They also have their Annual Dinner Auction coming up on May 5 (click the title to visit the link). Maybe we can get a table together and attend?
We also had a recap from Ken and Derek, who shared the final Operation Red Nose presentation with us! As a club we need to begin thinking about taking on this fundraiser again. It's such an amazing program, and it does so much good around the holiday season. Discussions will be happening over the next few weeks and I will let you know when we have our club vote about continuing on with this program.
A reminder, if you have anything, please let me know, so I can share with everyone!
We wrapped the whole thing up with Happy Bucks, and off we go to make another week amazing!
See you all soon,

Michelle

Welcome back Everyone!
After having to cancel last week's meeting due to the crazy East Coast blizzard on the West Coast it was so nice to see everyone again! It was especially wonderful to Welcome Doug, a volunteer from ORN who came to see what we are all about, thank you for joining us Doug! Additionally, it was a complete honour to also host our Students' of the Month from GW Graham and Mt. Slesse Middle School. And to top it all off, members of the GW Graham Key Club were also in attendance!
We definitely had a full house today!
Our Students' of the Month were inspiring as usual! All the 'stuff' they do: athletics, service, bands, community groups, academics, part-time jobs- these students are incredible, and their energy! Spectacular!
We also had updates from:

• Soup Kitchen from that snowy Saturday morning, 157 clients served, including 6 children!
• Big Budget meeting Monday February 20, 6:45pm! Details following shortly.
• Lisa McCoy invited us to her Bellingham noon meeting today- to meet Art Riley, our PNW Kiwanis International counselor. If you can make it, she welcomes you.
• Super Reader- we have a lot of re-schedules because of all the snow days, so please, if you can, help Arley out, contact him. I will include all the dates in an upcoming email. Additionally, Arley is going away, we need a volunteer to liase with the schools in his absence.
• Chilliwack Hospice sent us a newsletter update, it was circulated.
• We also learned that Jack and Vic are both recovering at home! Welcome home Gentlemen, we hope to see you soon!
• We are also sending strength and postive vibes to Courtney's dad, Larry, who is headed back to surgery! We wish him and the family all the best during this time.
• Lastly, Key Club provided updates to their events and happenings at GW Graham. They have 2 fundraisers planned:
  • Saturday February 25 - Abbotsford Superstore, bagging groceries for a donation 10:30-3:00pm
  • Ongoing: Sardis Bottle Depot, GW Graham Key Club #123 to donate your returns to help them attend District Convention

It was definitely a full, action packed meeting. Peter wrapped the whole deal up with a round of trivia!
Arley also noted that our flag, the Maple Leaf as we see it today, is 52 years young tomorrow. Happy Birthday Flag!

Till next week, remember it is a Happy Hearts Day today, spoil those you love and adore just a little more!

Yours in Service,
Michelle