The New Westminster Council of Women is inviting community members to support Monarch Place.
The group, which has been working to improve the lives of women, families and the community since 1893, is holding its next meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Boston Pizza in Columbia Square Plaza, 1045 Columbia St.
“Our guest speaker, Lorrie Wasyliw, executive director of Monarch Place transition house, will tell us about their work with women fleeing domestic violence,” said Lesley Hebert, president of the New Westminster Council of Women. “As the holiday season is approaching, we are asking you to bring unwrapped gift donations for women in need. Requested items include shower gel, lip balm, journals/adult colouring books, gift cards and personal care items such as deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo.”
Anyone wanting more information can call Lesley Hebert at 604-520-5971.
Grave cleaning on a dreary day
Nasty weather didn’t dampen the spirits of youths who cleaned gravestones at Fraser Cemetery just before Remembrance Day.
Rob Rathbun, a member of the Society of the Officers of the Honourable Guard, said it was touching to see 60 local youth attend its 10th annual veterans and commonwealth graves-cleaning event in the worst weather ever experienced for this event. As youth cleaned graves at the Sunday, Nov. 6 event, heavy rains – sometimes mixed with wet snow – fell.
“I conveyed to many of these children, that as uncomfortable this weather was for us, to imagine these boys, many World War One vets, living in trenches in the mud and cold for months on end,” he said.
Rathbun said it was gratifying to see many families from past years attending this year’s event.
“We make a point of not making this about formality and speeches; it is about paying respect to these local Royal City residents, like John Hoult who lived on Eighth Street, Rhoda McKenzie who lived in Sapperton and William Stephenson – who we bought a headstone for a few years back – that lived across from Royal Columbian Hospital,” he said in an email to the Record. “It's about keeping these stories alive, and not forgetting the sacrifice of local people. It's about teaching children to remember.”
No Stone Left Alone
More than 350 students from local elementary schools braved the elements to place poppies on 450 military graves in Fraser Cemetery as part of the sixth annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony.
Grade 2 to 5 students from Skwo:wech Elementary, Ecole Herbert Spencer Elementary, F.W. Howay Elementary and Urban Academy participated in the Nov. 4 event.
“Since starting No Stone Left Alone in Fraser Cemetery, our ceremony has grown exponentially from a handful in 2017 to over 350 students from four schools,” said Karen Baker MacGrotty, chair of No Stone Left Alone – New Westminster. “It was overwhelming and emotional to witness so many children entering the cemetery on such a cold and miserable rainy day.”
At each headstone, students read the name of the veteran aloud and thanked the veterans for their service. Upon returning to class, students were encouraged to talk about their experience, draw a picture, or write a letter of reflection to capture personal thoughts.
“The simple act of placing a poppy on the headstone combined with the reflection experience, has a profound impact on youth. Through this hands-on educational initiative, students realize first-hand the service and sacrifices of our fallen and veterans,” said Baker MacGrotty. “Reflecting and personally thanking our veterans, many whose lives and dreams were extinguished prematurely, has a powerful impact on students. It is an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Students were joined by soldiers and cadets of The Royal Westminster Regiment, cadets from St. John Ambulance, representatives from Royal Canadian Legion and community organizations, including Rotary, Hyack Festival Association and Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral. The event also included a Prayer of Remembrance and a reading of In Flanders Fields.
