Dawn Black continues to give back to the community in retirement.
Friends and family organized a retirement party for Black last summer, after she decided not to run in the provincial election. The former MP and MLA for New Westminster suggested the retirement bash raise money for a scholarship at New Westminster Secondary School.
“I thought I would be really happy if we got $10,000,” she said. “It is just short of $20,000.”
Black will be awarding the first $1,000 scholarship at this year’s graduation ceremonies in June. The scholarship will go to a graduating student at NWSS who is pursing post-secondary education, has in interest in social justice and equality issues, and may have a financial need.
“This community has been so supportive of me over so many years,” she said. “It’s really nice to give something back in a more tangible way.”
Black is grateful to all the people who attended her retirement party at La Perla Ballroom in July. Highlights included an appearance by Double Exposure (Bob Robertson and Linda Cullen) and a song by Black’s seven grandchildren.
“It was a really wonderful evening,” she said. “It was a lot of fun.”
Linda Asgeirsson, who was Black’s constituency assistant, planned much of the event, dubbed Dawn’s Farewell Tribute.
“It’s not difficult to sell lots of tickets and get generous bursary donations when someone as popular as Dawn is being recognized,” she said. “She wanted lots of laughs and celebration at her dinner, and Double Exposure and others certainly provided the laughs. And we were able to keep some of the dinner agenda a secret from her (no easy task) and surprise her. For example, a highlight was when her seven grandchildren came up to the stage and sangYou Are Our Nana to the tune of You Are My Sunshine. Very cute and touching.”
The Tiger Exhibit, a group of six music students at New Westminster Secondary School, performed jazz music at the dinner: Charles Lie (drum and cymbals); Zander Skelton (bass); Hayden Goss (trumpet); Spencer Atherley (tenor sax); Tiger Zu (trombone); and Ivy Chao (piano).
Black, a longtime New Westminster resident, noted that some people are continuing to contribute to the Dawn Black Bursary, and she will contribute in the years ahead as well. The Royal City Education Foundation is overseeing the fund.
Cooking for men
Men are invited to develop some handy skills to put to use in the kitchen.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver is offering community kitchens for men, which features six sessions where they’ll learn to read food labels, take a grocery tour and eat well – all while they make fast meals with fresh, whole ingredients. The free program takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays from March 7 to April 11 at the Hospitality Project at 1111 Sixth Ave.
Food Skills for Men aims to be a hands-on program that makes healthy eating, shopping and cooking easy, quick and fun. For more information and registration, contact Pat at 604-764-1358 or [email protected].
Educating girls
An upcoming event is raising funds to help girls attend secondary school in Kenya and Tanzania.
The Canadian Harambee Education Society is celebrating International Women’s Day with a fundraiser on Saturday, March 8 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event, being held at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall, features musical entertainment, a silent auction and refreshments, as well as a display of the society’s projects in Africa.
Coun. Lorrie Williams founded the society in 1985 after returning to Canada from a trip to Africa, where she saw how much girls wanted to attend school but opportunities were restricted. Williams, a retired teacher, has received a number of honours for her work with the society and was featured in a CBC documentary, Educating Margaret.
The fundraiser takes place at the Sapperton Pensioners’ Hall at 318 Keary St. Ticket are available at the door or by calling 778-565-561.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Send ideas to Theresa, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @TheresaMcManus.
