The New Westminster Firefighters Charitable Society is hosting its annual tree-chipping event on Jan. 9 and 10.
The event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Canada Games Pool parking lot, includes a barbecue, popcorn, music, face painting and fire extinguisher demonstrations. Trees will be chipped and recycled by donation.
All proceeds from the event go to the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society, which raises funds for a variety of local community programs and organizations.
On the same day, New Westminster Scouts will be holding a bottle drive. You’re invited to bring your bottles and cans to help the Scouts provide outdoor experiences and friendship to New West youth.
Connecting with refugees
The City of New Westminster’s multiculturalism advisory committee is planning a Syrian refugee Connect Day in March 2016.
“This will be a welcoming, fun and informative event,” said Coun. Chuck Puchmayr, who chairs the committee. “It will incorporate a resource fair, orientation sessions, children’s activities, food and music.”
The Immigrant Services Society of B.C. anticipates about 100 of the 2,000 refugees coming to B.C. will settle in New Westminster. To date, the city has received 49 privately sponsored refugees – the second highest number by any municipality in B.C.
“New Westminster is a vibrant and diverse city that steps up when the call for help is made,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said in a press release. “I encourage residents to welcome our new arrivals. Let’s reach out to them and invite them into all aspects of our community.”
New Westminster MLA Judy Darcy and New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian recently hosted a townhall meeting about how to help Syrian refugees. More than 200 people attending the standing-room only gathering.
The city reports that businesses, organizations and residents have been asking how they can welcome refugees to New Westminster and assist in their settlement and integration.
The city’s website, www.newwestcity.ca, including information about ways to make a donation, volunteer as an interpreter or mentor, provide accommodations, employment, products and services.
Meanwhile, the Welcoming and Inclusive New Westminster Local Immigration Partnership Council (WINS), which is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, is planning for the long-term settlement and integration of new immigrants and refugees.
“There is a strong foundation in place for receiving the Syrian refugees and a history of collaboration and partnership which will be instrumental in meeting their varied needs and enabling them to successfully integrate into the community,” said John Stark, the city’s senior social planner and chair of WINS.
