Hi all. Please feel free to forward this info to all your friends. Even if they don’t want to be a part of the team they can always make a contribution for a worthy cause!
As many of you probably know Jo-Ann and I are active members of the dragon boat racing community. I have been involved in this sport for 16 seasons now! And Jo-Ann for 8 years. Throughout the years we have also been involved in a paddling related fund raiser for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation. This year it will be the 9th year that this event will take place. Please click on this link for info and a few photos of what takes place in this one day event:
http://paddleforkids.org/home.html.
In the past we have always been volunteer coaches of a team that has registered for this event. Usually the teams involved have never dragon boated before and wanted to give it a try. All the coaches in the community volunteer their time to be there for the day and to do some basic coaching of what it takes to paddle in a dragon boat. This year however we’ve decided to put in a team of our own, called Colby’s CIBC Miracles on Water, in honor of our dear friends Tony and Cindy Wong who lost their 15 month old daughter just before Christmas last year. Her name was Colby Sienna Wong. Her first few months of life were spent at the BC Children's Hospital where they took very good care of her until she was discharged to be home with her family in North Van. Since that time she had been a few times in the hospital at both BC Children's and Lion's Gate due to complications. In the end she passed away unexpectedly peacefully at home in her sleep a few days before Christmas last year.
We welcome any and all donations to this very good foundation. So far we have been very lucky to not have to rely on the services of BC Children's Hospital with our 2 kids but in the event that we will need their help we would like to know that they have all they need to make things better for them. Any donations of $20 or more will receive a taxable receipt. You may donate right now by clicking at
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=237379&lis=0&kntae237379=A08508514C584476B6223B5F2D85FCBD&supId=186772757. This is a very easy and fast way to make your donation and you get an instant tax receipt via email of your contribution. The event takes place at Creek Side Park or aka Science World.
Because most of the people participating at this event are new to the paddling world we welcome any of you to contact us about being a part of the team and learning to paddle. No experience necessary! If you've ever wanted to know what it is like to be a part of a dragon boat team then this is perfect for you. It will be first come first served if you want to be a part of our team. A maximum of 24 paddlers can join so if you are interested please hurry and let us know.
Thanks for reading and for your consideration.
Bernie & Jo-Ann (and the kids too Gabrie and Haylee!)
PS There is no fee expected from anyone joining our crew. The entry fee has been donated by CIBC. Thanks!
