The New Westminster Salmonbellies are doing their part to help others during the upcoming holidays.
The Bellies are holding their fifth annual Christmas food drive on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lobby of Queen’s Park Arena. All Salmonbellies players, parents, coaches, friends and fans are invited to drop by with non-perishable items.
Mr. Mikes will be on hand serving up grilled Mikeburgers for a $5 donation, with 100 per cent of donations going to supporting those in need.
If you’re looking for Christmas ideas for the Bellies fan on your list, there will be a clothing sale in the Bellies store on the upper level of the arena from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eagles ring in the Christmas season
The Fraternal Order of Eagles will be bringing a special visitor to town in time for Christmas.
The New Westminster Eagles No. 20 are hosting their annual Christmas for Kids party on Friday, Dec. 9 and are inviting kids aged nine and under to attend. The free event is open to children living in New Westminster, and the party usually features a visit from Santa.
Registration is required by Dec. 2 by emailing [email protected] or calling 604-521-2391. The party takes place on Dec. 9 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at 707 12th St.
Knitters, Join the Year-round poppy-thon
A year-round poppy-thon will help stitch together a collection of poppies for a community art project.
Reena Meijer Drees and members of local knitting circles launched the Poppy Project to create a large installation of knitted or crocheted poppies as a tribute to all those who have served or experienced the horrors of war.
Susan Waller of Cosy Yarns at River Market learned about the initiative in an article in the Record and held a number of poppy-thons at her shop in River Market prior to Remembrance Day.
“It went quite well. We have about 170 poppies,” she said. “People were dropping them off.”
The Poppy Project’s organizers estimate it takes about 10 poppies to cover a square foot, which means 500 poppies would create a five-by 10-foot blanket. Local knitters will continue to make poppies in the hopes of making enough to put together a blanket in time for next year’s Remembrance Day.
“We are going to designate the 11th of each month to have a poppy-thon and keep it going. I think we can get there for next year if we just keep it going,” Waller said. “People loved making them. I have to say they thought they were beautiful, and they are, and they loved it.”
In addition to attending the monthly poppy-thons, people are also welcome to make poppies at home. A pattern is available at www.thepoppyproject.knit1take2.com.
More details about the monthly events will be posted on the Cosy Yarn Facebook page.
Christmas lacrosse action
Fusion West Lacrosse is heading back to New West to help keep kids active during their winter break from school.
New West native Kevin Crowley will be returning to his hometown to lead a boys’ holiday skills clinic on Dec. 19 and 20 at Queen’s Park Arena, while Savanna Smith will be leading a girls’ clinic those days. Kids aged six to 10 will attend the clinic from 9 a.m. to noon and kids aged 11 to 15 will go from 1 to 4 p.m.
Registrations for boys is $65 before Nov. 30 or $65 after Nov. 30, and $55 for girls before Nov. 30 and $65 after that date. For info or registration go to www.
fusionwestlacrossse.com.
Crowley, who plays for the Charlotte Hounds in the MLL and the New England Black Wolves in the NLL, started Fusion Lacrosse in Philadelphia with the goal of growing box lacrosse in the United Sates.
