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Life
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Friday, December 5, 2014 - The Morning Star B7
E-Mail: lifestyles@vernonmorningstar.com
Stork Report Oct. 9: Born to Tyler and Kristi Novakowski of Armstrong, a boy, 7 lbs. 7 oz., named Weston Bruce. A brother for Emmett, 3. A grandson for Bruce and Linda Austin of Oyama, B.C.; Randy and Cori Novakowski of Vernon, B.C. A greatgrandson for Gert Kashuba, Joe and Doreen Novakowski, all of Vernon. Nov. 6: Born to Ryan and Jennifer Dougherty of Armstrong, B.C., a girl, 7 lbs. 9 oz., named Blayke Ashley. A granddaughter for Susan Porter and Chris Beck of Calgary, Alta.; Nancy and Don Helm of Vernon, B.C. A great-granddaughter for New Additions Audrey Ker of White Rock, B.C.; George and Carrie Blayney of Calgary; Doreen Porter of Winnipeg, Man. Nov. 9: Born to Peter and Anita Goldnik of Vernon, B.C., a girl, 8 lbs. 2 oz., named Naomi. A sister for Kevin, 4; Julia, 2. A granddaughter for Olga and Victor Goldnik, Lillija and Waldemar Fink, all of Vernon. Nov. 10: Born to James and Kayla Coers of Armstrong, a girl, 8 lbs., named Raya Grace. A granddaughter for Steve and Chris Coers of Enderby, B.C.; Doug and Wendy Owens of Secret Cove, B.C. Nov. 13: Born to Raffaele Scotto Lachianca and Shawna Klassen-Roth of Vernon, a girl, 7 lbs,. named Nova Johanna Scotto Lachianca. A sister for Francesco, 2. A granddaughter for Wanda Klassen-Roth and Bob Barten, Doug Roth, all of Vernon, B.C.; Filomena Carabellese and Francesco Scotto Lachianca of Procida, Italy. A great-granddaughter for Elsie Klassen, Bill Roth, both of Vernon; Frank and Shirley Luciani of Kamloops, B.C.; Carmine Carabellese, Carmella Ambrosino, both of Procida, Italy. Nov. 15: Born to Brad and Jenn Weatherill of Vernon, B.C., a boy, 8 lbs. 2 oz., named Byron Michael. A grandson for Dave and Joanne Weatherill of Vernon, B.C.; Brian and Kim Abbott of Falkland, B.C.; Michele and Eddie Hawks of Navarre, Fla. Nov. 17: Born to Randy and Lorene Raap of Vernon, a girl, 7 lbs. 9 oz., named Blakely Johanna. A granddaughter for Jack and Willy Visscher of Langley, B.C.; Bill and Henrietta Raap of Winnipeg, Man. A great-granddaughter for Sybren and Jenny Raap, Gerry Kuik, all of Winnipeg. Nov. 20: Born to Matt and Christine Graham of Vernon, a girl, 6 lbs. 9 oz., named Norah Brienne. A sister for Kahlan, 5; Logan, 2. A granddaughter for Ann and Randy Graham of Armstrong, B.C.; Gunther and Irene Spann of Vernon, B.C. A great-granddaughter for Irene Graham of Kamloops, B.C.; Annette Grimard of Chilliwack, B.C.
Stork report
Katherine MortiMer/Morning Star Staff
Lydia and Perry Wainwright, with Santas Anonymous, observe as Vernon Community School students Cole Hutchison (left), Darien Embree and Sam La Pointe paint the train set that was donated to Santas and will be used as the grand prize in a raffle and given to a child in need.
Students wear Santa hats Katherine MortiMer
Morning Star Staff
With a little paint and a lot of imagination, students at Vernon Community School are helping make Christmas a little brighter for children in need. Thanks to a connection made by volunteers with Santas Anonymous, the students in the program at Fulton secondary school are busy painting old Tonka trucks to make them as good as new and transforming a hand-crafted train set. “Someone donated the train set and was not able to finish painting it,” said Perry Wainwright, with Santas Anonymous. “So I had the idea of getting school kids to take on this project.” The trucks will end up parked on the shelve at Santas Anonymous, where they will be selected by a parent as a Christmas gift for their child. “The trucks were rusty and fried from the sun and they’re getting all fixed up as these kids are bringing these toys back to life,” said Wainwright. The train set will be the prize in a raffle draw for parents who make an appointment to pick up gifts for their children.
Wainwright also brought in half a dozen large barrels which will be distribute at businesses around town and filled with donated toys. VCS students have painted the barrels, with colourful Christmas themes. Santas Anonymous provides toys and gifts to children ages birth to 12 years at Christmas and all year long for birthdays. Gifts are available to families living throughout the North Okanagan, including Armstrong, Falkland, Cherryville, Lumby, Lavington and Coldstream. Volunteer Lydia Wainwright said so far, business has been fairly steady for Santas volunteers. “But I would like to encourage people to make contact with us, the sooner the better,” she said. “And as always, we want to remind people that Santas Anonymous is not just for Christmas — we also do birthday gifts all year long. “We appreciate the support we get from the community, which supports us with financial donations and with gifts. The community employs us to put it in the hands of the rest of the community.” Lydia appreciates the help that Santas
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is getting from VCS students because it’s kids helping kids. “They really think outside the box,” she said. Student Cole Hutchison coordinated the classroom project and he said all of his classmates were enthusiastic about helping Santas Anonymous. “We wanted to take it on because we wanted to help kids who don’t get presents and stuff and we wanted to make them happy,” he said. “We had two kids working on one bin each and they had to come up with the design.” Families in need can contact Santas at 250-542-4448 to make an appointment to come in and pick up Christmas gifts for their children ages zero to 12 years. Deadline to make an appointment is Dec. 10. “We would like to thank all the businesses and citizens that make donations to Santas so we can continue helping children and families,” said Lydia. “We are here for those who really need it. Some people feel they are not poor enough, but if you don’t have enough for your kids to play with, then feel free and step forward as we want the kids to win.”
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