With the Canucks pre-season in full swing, it's a good time to remind sports fans about a worthy organization called the Kids Up Front Foundation, which provides access to sporting events for children and youth who typically wouldn't have the opportunity to attend. And it's not just sports. Kids Up Front also provides access to arts, culture and recreation through the donation of unused tickets and by creating special events for children who just need a break. Thanks to the B.C. Lions, and some generous fans, 5,228 kids and their guardians were able to attend a football game at Empire Stadium during the first six games of the 2011 season. To donate is easy. Visit the Kids Up Front website to donate tickets you can't use to any hockey, football, soccer or baseball game, concert, play or special event. The Foundation then ensures a child is able to attend in your place. The foundation's annual fundraiser, the 19th Hole, is Oct. 19 at the Rocky Mountaineer Station, 1755 Cottrell St. The Courier's "Man About Town" Fred Lee will play auctioneer for the evening. For more information, go to kidsupfrontvancouver.com.
SEPT. 24
Youth For Climate Justice Now, or Y4CJN, is hosting a day of action Sept. 24 at Second Beach. A bike ride starts the Momentum for Change event at Creekside Community Centre and organizers want participants to dress in creative costumes. Riders are also encouraged to let their imaginations run wild with ideas for decorating their bikes. Y4CJN's goal is to show like-minded individuals they're not the only ones who want to ask if government is doing enough about climate change. More details are at moving-planet.org.
SEPT. 25
The Jumpstart Pedal Festival and Community Ride begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at the Canadian Tire store on Cambie Street, where cyclists can get a bike tune up, have their bike engraved for identification and try out a tricycle obstacle course. The community ride starts at 11 a.m. and follows a dedicated route with nine stops, followed by a celebration back at Canadian Tire from 1 to 3:30 p.m. with a free barbecue and prizes awarded or best-dressed bike. At 3:30 p.m. extreme cyclists Jeff Anderson and Steve Dickin show off their mad skills.
SEPT. 28
Since 2009 the gang at Nature's Path Organic Foods has raised more than $300,000 worth of food and cash for local food banks--enough to feed 12,000 families in need. On Sept. 28, Nature's Path hopes to dramatically add to that number with the third annual Compassion Into Action breakfast during which donations to the food bank can be exchanged for a tasty organic breakfast at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Art Gallery from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The idea for the food exchange was born when Nature's Path founder and CEO Arran Stephens heard Tibetan religious leader the Dalai Lama tell a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»audience to "put their compassion into action." This year's breakfast benefits the Greater Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Food Bank. Those who can't make the breakfast, but still want to donate can do so at naturespath.com/Compassion.into.Action.
Twitter: @sthomas10
