The Group of Five is back at work trying to raise funds for equipment for Royal Columbian Hospital.
The group consists of several local women who joined forces to help raise funds for equipment at Royal Columbian Hospital. Its spring charity fundraiser is Health Happiness Honey and Heirlooms, a garden luncheon and sale.
The event is being held on Friday, May 11 from 11: 30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Bavaria Haus. It includes a three-course meal, food samples and a chance to buy home and garden items - just in time for Mother's Day.
Shirley Piper, a member of the Group of Five, said items up for sale include "the best honey you've ever had in your life," which comes in flavours including alfalfa and Grand Marnier. Edible plants, garden plants, herbs and heirloom tomatoes will also be for sale.
"We have eight different varieties of heirloom tomatoes," Piper said. "The grower has been growing them for me for two months. They are really healthy."
Mother's Day bouquets and lavender gifts, as well as tablecloths and bracelets from Italy, will also be sold.
As with the Group of Five's previous fundraisers, proceeds from the event will help buy equipment for Royal Columbian Hospital. The goal is to purchase a surgical tool to eliminate the need for evasive surgery on lower limbs.
"It's to aid in microscopic surgery," Piper said "They don't have one."
The device will not only leave patients with less scarring, but also provide better healing than if they had to undergo major surgery.
Second Bumspiel a big success
Deb Imada is thrilled with the success of her second annual Bumspiel.
The Surrey resident teamed up with the Royal City Curling Club to host the Bumspiel - Curling for Colon Cancer on March 31. Imada, a colorectal survivor, launched the event in 2011 during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which is celebrated in Canada in March.
Eighty-eight people participated in this year's event. A group of doctors from the Netherlands had expected to attend but couldn't make, but they hope to attend next year's event.
"Fun was had by all, and I received many requests from people to contact them again and count them in for next year which was great to hear," Imada said. "The final contribution made to the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada was $2,172."
The third annual Bumspiel is tentatively set to take place on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at the Royal City Curling Club. Imada hopes the fun event sheds more light and takes away some of the stigma attached to this type of cancer so lives can be saved.
Cleanup kudos
Joshua Pablo is grateful to the folks who volunteered their time to help improve the local environment.
Pablo organized the NIMBÃ Community Clean-up in the Moody Park neighbourhood on April 21. Numerous people showed up to pick up litter and trash around the Lord Kelvin Elementary School and uptown neighbourhoods.
"The group dedicated more than 30 volunteer hours, worth $1,000 of service value," said Pablo in an email to The Record.
"Together, we removed 11.2 kilograms, or 25 pounds, of trash from public places. We accumulated approximately 2,500 cigarette-related litter, several coffee cups, a traffic ticket, and a bag of white crystals - handed to police."
The City of New Westminster helped out by providing garbage totes and garbage pickup at Moody Park. Additional support came from Tim Hortons which donated tools and supplies to support an enjoyable cleanup, and St. John Ambulance which provided first aid services.
"Several individuals, community groups, and residents' associations helped spread the word of the event. I'd like to thank the community for their support," Pablo said.
"The (event) is about bringing the community together and making it better for others. As an act of neighbours helping neighbours, this is a simple initiative to give back to a community we are all a part of."
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