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HEALTHWISE SPORTS
High school sporting retrospective Looking back at the best boys and girls
T UESDAY , J UNE 22, 2010
28 Pages
Page A25
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT abbotsfordtimes.com
A great place for families
Leap
Still, report gives two failing grades
of
faith
JEAN KONDA-WITTE JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com
A
bbotsford and Mission are among the most family-friendly cities in all of Canada. At least that’s what a report from the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada says. IMFC graded 33 of the largest cities in the country on five ‘family-friendly’ criteria, including community feel (measured by bike paths, parks and community centres), the proportion of long-time residents, how many folks donate to charity, daily commute times and livability. “Those of us who live here know that Abbotsford is a great place to live,” said Mayor George Peary. “The report gives Abbotsford a grade of ‘B’ overall, reflecting high marks in the areas of community, children and family, income levels and schooling.” The IMFC looked at the Abbotsford Census Metropolitan Area, which includes Mission.While the two communities received an ‘A’ or ‘B’ in most categories, they didn’t fare so well in two areas. The report named the Abbotsford CMA as the only city with two failing grades. One is for population stability, reflecting a relatively low number of residents who’ve lived here for five years or more. The other ‘F’ is for a high homicide rate, the highest in Canada. A number of ‘A’s pulled it up in other areas, like low income taxes and high rates of family independence. ◗ To view the entire report, go to www.imfcanada.org.
– PHOTO SUBMITTED/FOR THE TIMES
Abbotsford Mayor George Peary, on the bottom, was among 10 skydivers who helped raise funds for Cyrus Centre on Saturday.
Ten jumpers haul in $8,400 for Cyrus Centre CAM TUCKER camtuckertimes@gmail.com
L
es Talvio admitted he was humbled by the support from the community at the Leap of Faith fundraiser for Cyrus Centre on Saturday. The event, which was held at the Abbotsford Skydiving Centre, raised around $8,400 for Cyrus Centre and featured 10 jumpers, including Abbotsford mayor George Peary. The total amount exceeded expectations by approximately 20 per cent, which is important
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because the non-profit, Christian-based orga- The bottom had fallen out of her life and she nization relies solely on donations in order to was on the streets and ended up at Cyrus run, said Talvio, the manager of the centre. Centre and now she’s graduating from a local “It was awesome,” he said. secondary school, so it was “The support from the com- “It’s quite a rush.” kind of a celebration of overmunity, all the different people coming the issues she had involved, was just amazing. It when she was younger. – Mayor George Peary makes you realize what you’re “When you see that, and doing is right and worthwhile. you realize the service being “It takes a collaborative community effort to provided . . . it’s quite a thrill, and I was happy not only make Cyrus Centre work, but to make to be there.” Talvio said the centre is planning another a difference in these young kids’ lives.” The mayor said he enjoyed the experience fundraiser, a dessert banquet, which will be of falling from 10,000 feet above the city and held in November. coming “face to face with mortality,” espe◗ Tickets are not available yet, but people cially given the cause it was for. interested in this event can visit www.cyrus“It’s quite a rush,” he said. “One of the young ladies in the plane with centre.com, or contact Talvio at les@cyruscenus had been a former client at Cyrus Centre. tre.shawbiz.ca or 604-859-5773.
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