Home values: Up or down? page 5
Winners hope to bounce back page 20
Thursday January 3, 2013
Serving Surrey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com
Time is running out for North Surrey charity Surrey Urban Mission Society needs to relocate to a suitable property by Jan. 25
by Kevin Diakiw A GROUP helping those without shelter could be homeless itself in less than a month unless
it finds new accommodation for its services. Jonquil Hallgate, executive director of Surrey Urban Mission Society (SUMS), was working to secure a new place at 13777 103 Ave. on Christmas Eve when she was told by the City of Surrey it likely didn’t have the right zoning. That wrinkle was ironed out on Dec. 28, but the following day, the property was sold. SUMS has to vacate its current location at 13388 104 Ave. by Jan. 25. Hallgate knew earlier this year that she’d have to find a new place. Discussions between the Lutheran Church of B.C. – where SUMS, a ministry of the church, has been housed – its synod, and Hallgate resulted in a decision to sell a large chunk of the current property and give SUMS $1 million to relocate. “It was very generous,” Hallgate said of the arrangement. SUMS provides meals to the hungry, a dental program, legal advice, a wellness clinic and an extreme weather shelter. In all, SUMS feeds 1,200-1,500 people a week and offers shelter for 60 people a night during extreme weather months between November and March. Hallgate says she needs a willing property seller east of King George Boulevard and west of 142 Street to stick their hand up and say “over here.” Ideally, SUMS would like to buy a parcel of land with a building of 6,200 square feet, hopefully on one floor, or one that has a lift (Hallgate is wheelchair bound). Hallgate would prefer that it is located between 96 and 108 Avenues. It’s possible SUMS could lease as well, but Hallgate would rather not eat into the purchase fund. If the charity can’t secure a spot, there will BOAZ JOSEPH / THE LEADER be several people going hungry as of Jan. 26. Surrey Urban Mission Society executive director For more information, Jonquil Hallgate is desperately seeking a new or if you can help, call 604home for her non-profit charity that supports the 581-5172. homeless.
Freezing frenzy
BOAZ JOSEPH / THE LEADER
Helped by the knee-level low-tide, about 300 people took a New Year’s Day plunge into Boundary Bay during Delta’s annual Polar Bear Swim on Tuesday. Similar events took place in White Rock and at Crescent Beach.
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Save time, save money.
On the prowl again.