Burnaby's homeless cats and dogs were a bit more comfortable this Christmas, thanks to the fundraising efforts of a 12-year-old boy named Kyle Boutilier.
The Surrey Grade 7 student rallied his schoolmates and collected roughly $1,000 of dollars worth of supplies and food for animals at the Burnaby SPCA.
"I have a dog, and I've done fundraisers in the past, and I thought: Why don't I do something different? Instead of doing it for people, why don't I do it for animals?" he said.
Kyle collected leashes, dog food, toys, blankets and towels mostly from schoolmates and his dad's colleagues.
"I'd just like to say thank you to anybody who donated," Kyle said.
IN THE SQUARE
If square dancing is on your new year's list of things to try, there are two clubs in Burnaby offering ongoing sessions, starting in January.
Swinging Singles of British Columbia Square Dance Club runs Wednesday night dance lessons, starting on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. The drop-in fee is $5, and dancers meet at 6871 Roberts St.
Club member Ron Fleck said there are numerous benefits from square dancing; it helps you stay fit and exercises your memory.
"Everyone says, 'I did that in high school,' but high school is different. In high school they teach you 10 moves," he said. "The beginners' class has 68 moves."
The group is a mix of singles and couples and has been around for a while, Fleck said.
One of the January sessions is free, either Jan. 4, 11 or 18.
The dancing usually runs till June and draws people in their mid-40s to 70s.
Experience or special clothing is not necessary. Just show up and be prepared to have fun while meeting new people.
For more on the club, go to swinging singles. squaredance.bc.ca or call 604-525-7078, 604-434-3940, 604-254-2736.
The second group vying for your patronage is the Co-operative Square Dance Club, which runs classes on Monday nights, starting Jan. 9 at 7: 30 p.m.
They are also offering a free session in January - either Jan. 9, 16 or 23. Sessions are at the Charles Rummel Community Centre, at 3630 Lozells Ave., just off Government Road. Drop-in fees are $5, and classes run till summer.
Dancers Roy and Janet Ballam say winter is the ideal time to start square dancing.
"As far as we're concerned, it's fun, good exercise, and it's a great social activity, too," Roy said.
"The majority of our close friends have come from the square dancing community."
The couple has been square dancing in Burnaby for 42 years. For more info, email [email protected] or call 604-939-2789.
FINDING HOPE
This issue, I have a copy of To Hope and Back, The Journey of the St. Louis by Kathy Kacer.
To Hope and Back is based on a true story and billed as a Holocaust remembrance book for young readers.
The St. Louis is a luxury ship that took passengers from Nazi Germany to safer countries. The book focuses on two young passengers and what they went through while trying to get to Cuba.
The first person who emails me with Hope in the subject line gets the book. You will need to pick it up at our office at 3430 Brighton Ave., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Have an item for Here and Now? Send items to reporter Jennifer Moreau by email at jmoreau@burnabynow. com, by fax to 604-444-3460 or by mail to 201A-3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5A 3H4. Follow Jennifer on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ JenniferMoreau, or her blog on www.burnabynow.com.
