Members of the Abreast in a Boat dragon boat racing teams are trading in their rowing gear for more fashionable attire for an upcoming fundraiser.
Abreast in a Boat is holding a fashion show on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Nygard store in the Big Bend in Burnaby. Abreast in a Boat is a group of women living with breast cancer who participate in dragon boat racing to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.
"We raise money to put women on the water," said New Westminster resident Judi Clark. "We keep our fees really low."
While taking part in a regatta, Clark popped into a Nygard store and mentioned it would be fun to have a fashion show to raise money for Abreast in a Boat. The manager of the Cambie Street store helped put the plan into motion.
The Oct. 20 fundraiser includes refreshments, entertainment by singer Lisa Fennell, a fashion show and a silent auction.
"The doors open at 6: 30 p.m.," Clark said. "There will be time to look at the silent auction items and shop."
Special deals will be offered for people making purchases the night of the fashion show. Guests will also be able to buy keys to unlock a mannequin that's dressed from head to toe in Nygard attire - with the owner of the lucky key winning the complete outfit.
The first Abreast in a Boat team formed more than a decade ago in response to a research project that was exploring whether exercise could reduce the effects of lymphedema (a painful inflammation that can occur if lymph nodes are removed during cancer treatment). Since that time, it has grown to include 180 members and crews in Deas, Richmond, Vancouver, Langley and Rocky Point.
"There are a number of benefits. Exercise reduces the incidence of reoccurrence. It does reduce the incidence of lymph-edema," Clark said. "The social aspects are huge. We have a lot of fun. It is hard work on the boat but we have a lot of fun. It is like a floating support group."
Although it was originally envisioned that women would participate in Abreast in a Boat dragon boat racing for a couple of years and then move on, many have stuck with it because of the camaraderie and support they get from fellow team members. Abreast in a Boat teams take part in about three regattas every years and often participate in an international dragon boat regatta held for breast cancer survivors every three or four years. Tickets to the fashion show are $20 and available at Champagne Taste (1101 Royal Ave.) or the Big Bend Nygard store (5751 Marine Way.)
"It's going to be a fun night," Clark said.
DON'T DUMP IT
Instead of dumping old lights and lighting fixtures in the garbage, Royal City residents can now access a recycling program.
The Light Recycle non-profit program accepts residential-use lighting products for recycling without charge at depots across B.C.
"LightRecycle is one of 14 industry-managed recycling programs in the province that reinforces British Columbia's position as North America's leader in environmental stewardship," Brock Macdonald, CEO of the Recycling Council of B.C., said in a press release.
Lights that will be accepted include florescent tubes, halogen and incandescent lights, light emitted diode (LED) and high intensity discharge (HID) and other mercury containing lamps. Accepted lighting fixtures include ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, flashlights, floor lamps, light strings (like Christmas lights), outdoor fixtures, recessed/pot lights, security lights, table and desk lamps and wall fixtures.
Royal City residents can drop off residential-use lights at London Drugs in Westminster Centre (555 Sixth St.) and the New Westminster Recycling Depot (65 East Sixth Ave.) Residential-use light fixtures can be dropped off at the New Westminster Thrift Store (Salvation Army, 774 Columbia St.) and the Sapperton Return-It Depot (#21 71 Braid St.)
See www.lightrecycle.ca.
