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Getting a taste of Canada.
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Strike may delay, but not stop Fox school runs Students raised $1.4 million for the Fox foundation last year Eric Welsh The Progress One of the Terry Fox Foundation’s most effective fundraisers will go ahead, no matter how long the BC school strike drags on. Each year, close to 1,400 schools throughout B.C. and the Yukon teach their students th about Terr y a EEveryone I’ve I’ Fox and his spoken to has Marathon of Hope, raise committed money and do a run in their to holding neighborhood. Terr y Fox an event Foundation whenever they S c h o o l Coordinator can Kirsten Fox says this year’s ~ Kirsten Fox National School Run Day is scheduled for Sept. 24. Even if students were back in school today, it’s unlikely everyone could get themselves organized by that date. But Fox says that date is more of a suggestion or guideline than anything set in stone. “Everyone I’ve spoken to has committed to holding an event whenever they can,” she explained. “If that’s not September, then we’re completely happy to support them in October or November or any other time.” Even April is a viable option, and very symbolic. On April 12, 1980 Terry Fox started the Marathon of Hope in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
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Continued: FOX/ p7
Ruth & Naomi’s Mission executive director Bill Raddatz and cook Steve Ivan are cooking up a plan to feed lunch to kids during the teachers’ strike. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Help for hungry kids in the downtown core Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Ruth and Naomi’s Mission has brainstormed a way to help feed hungry children in Chilliwack — at least while the teachers’ strike is on. They are reaching out to the community in the downtown core since some of the free meal programs for inner-city kids are now on hold pending resolution of the labour dispute. They became aware of a gaping need around the downtown core, and took action, said Bill Raddatz, executive director of Ruth and Naomi’s Mission. They are joining forces with Bowls of Hope to provide nutritious
lunches and snacks. It’s students who would have otherwise been helped through programs at McCammon, Bernard, Little Mountain and Central elementary schools. “Speaking with some of the principals of these schools, we estimate that roughly 30 kids per school are going hungry every day,” said Raddatz. That’s about 120 at least. Many of these young learners have lunch and then go hungry until the next day. “They go without snacks after school and no dinner,” he said. “So we here are, coming to bat for these kids.” Here is the plan: “Those (families and the
students) who counted on the lunch program at the above listed schools, can come to the Mission on Monday to Fridays for lunch,” Raddatz told The Progress. Lunch will be served from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. starting Monday, Sept. 15. Bowls of Hope is working on the soup aspect, while the Mission will do the sandwiches and snacks. “We will continue to provide this service until the strike is over.” The folks at the downtown mission are not stopping with lunch. They also plan to start a Family Feast hour between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. “This is for the poor and
working poor of Chilliwack who only qualify for this new service if they have children. “All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian. This meal service will be offered daily except Sundays. They’re looking at their Sunday programming and the plan is to have something in place by November. They’re working with the faculty and PAC of Chilliwack Central Elementary School with an eye to “stepping up and providing snacks for their after school program,” as well. The meal provision will be addressing hunger in the neighbourhood in a practical way. Continued: SUPPORT/ p5
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