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New West groups lend helping hand to community members in numerous ways

What's happening Around Town
Salvation Army
Rick Molstad, right, of Royal City Rotary Club recently provided Captains Alfred and Cathy Esdaille of the Salvation Army in New Westminster with $5,000 in support of the organization’s programs.

New West seniors can get some help with assorted questions at a pop-up tech café.

The Get Set and Go Digital! Pop-up tech café is taking place on Monday, Aug. 15 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Fir Room at Century House, 620 Eighth St. It’s open to folks aged 50 and older.

“A pop up café is an event where seniors can come with questions, problems and requests and where they are met with tech ambassadors who will help them,” explains a notice about the event.

Folks involved with the Seniors Embracing Technology project at Century House, as well as technology specialist ambassadors from the New Westminster Digital Inclusion Hub, will be providing their expertise at the pop-up tech café.

Participants can get help with: selecting a digital device; learning how to connect to the internet; setting up email accounts; accessing information online; setting up your device so they’re able to talk with and see family and friends who also have a digital device; and getting answers to many other tech questions they may have.

The popup tech café is taking place. To register, call 604-519-1066 – or just drop in.

In other happenings at Century House, local seniors still have time to check out the Summer Camp and Moody Park Seniors (SCAMPS) program that’s offering a variety of themed, two-day camps for seniors this summer. Week 7 (Aug. 18 and 18) includes summer tie dye and lawn games and Week 8 (Aug. 25 and 27) is the final week of fun.

“Join Century House staff for some summer fun in Moody Park,” said a notice about SCAMPS. “We will host activities in the park over July and August. Activities will include art, games, speakers, connecting, exploring the park, special projects and some special guests. Join us for one week or many weeks. Register for all that you want. We guarantee some summer fun!”

SCAMPS takes place in Moody Park on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic together.

Each two-day session is $44.50.  To register, call Century House at 604-519-1066 or go to www.newwestcity.ca/activeliving.

Rotary supports Salvation Army

The Royal City Rotary Club provided a warm welcome to the new officers overseeing the operation of the Salvation Army in New Westminster.

Royal City Rotary Club has been a regular supporter of the Salvation Army for many years.  Rotary member Rick Molstad recently presented the organization with $5,000.

“The moneys are donated to help fund programs for those in need in our community,” said Royal City Rotary in an email to the Record. “The Salvation Army is well-known for being there to help with food, clothing, shelter, student backpacks and summer camps for children, in addition to responding to emergencies. Captains Alfred and Cathy Esdaille assumed their duties on July 1st.”

Campfire(less) Sing-A-Lot Night!

Blind Beginnings is excited to host a campfire(less) sing-a lot night in New West.

The New West-based non-profit, founded in 2008, provides  educational and experiential workshops, pre-employment training, summer camps, recreational activities and individualized counselling to provide opportunities for B.C. children who are blind and partially sighted to develop skills, confidence and independence.

The organization is capping off the Virtual Camp 2021 program that it’s been offering to its families with a sing-along night at Queen’s Park on Friday, Aug. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. People can attend the event in person or via Zoom.

“With the dry conditions this summer, we won't be able to have a real campfire (or any sort of open flame), so we've improvised with some Blind Beginnings ingenuity and determination, and can promise an experience that will almost feel like the real thing,” said a notice about the event. “But of course the most important thing of any campfire sing-a-long is the music, and, as always, we will have a guitar and our singing voices to make up for the lack of a fire.”

Anyone who has been taking part in Blind Beginnings 2021 Virtual Camp programs is automatically registered, but others can still register event. Attendees must be a member of Blind Beginnings in order to register and to participate in programs, so if you want to attend and support the organization, you can sign up for an annual membership (and get more details about the sing-along and Blind Beginnings or to donate to the charity) at www.blindbeginnings.ca.

Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
Email tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca