Super kids, super-abundance of kindness
Make Feb. 12-18 a week of spontaneous giving around B.C.
Glenda Luymes, The Province
Published: Tuesday, January 16, 2007

A group of elementary school students is hoping a little bit of kindness will go a long way. The Grade 4 and 5 students at Port Coquitlam's Central Community School have taken a classroom project and turned it into a campaign for kindness, asking the premier to declare a provincewide Random Acts of Kindness week Feb. 12-18. "It's really about spreading kindness," student Nicole Dziarmaga, 10, said yesterday. "I just want to make the community a better place." Fiona Suhyun, 10, describes a random act of kindness as an unexpected, caring gesture that's done with no expectation of receiving something in return. "When someone helps you, it makes you feel happy, and it makes you want to pass it on," she said. The two are members of Central's 16-member Random Acts of Kindness Club.

Justin Stene, 17, and his sister Chelsea, 16, are credited with getting their next- door neighbours out of bed while the fire raged around them. Justin "just came busting in and woke us all up," Mandy Boothe said. "The truck was on fire, tires were exploding. It was like a movie scene and he went through all that to get to us. It was amazing. I've never seen anything like it." Boothe, her husband, their three children and her mother were asleep when the fire broke at out about 4 a.m. "We just got out with our lives. We are so grateful just to have ourselves because of that boy." © The Vancouver Province 2006

Seventh graders hone fire safety skills
By Colleen Dane, Record Staff
Oct 27 2006

They came in chatting, laughing, excited about the just-finished presentation on 9-1-1 where their group of around 20 students had just experienced what it would be like if they were to phone the emergency line. Once they're seated, Courtenay firefighter David Marshall launches right into his speech, starting with an explanation about he and speaking-partner Jim Leung's experience with the fire department, and his reasons for joining. His brother nearly died from a fire injury when they were children. As he tells the details of the story the listening class quiets down.

Coming alive after transplant
By Sabrina AbdulBlack Press
Nov 02 2006

There is one thing Cecilia Ferreira doesn’t miss after getting her heart transplant and returning home — the piggyback rides she used to get from her older sister Christine. Prior to her heart transplant, Cecilia, 13, could barely walk a block without her body being strained. So she would rely on her sister to carry her until they reached home or wherever they were going. But since receiving her new heart on July 31 Cecilia has been given a new lease on life.

Share some warmth with the kids
Annual program collects new or gently used coats for children
By Christina Myers
Staff Reporter

When the fall winds blow and the leaves come tumbling down, there's something particularly comforting about snuggling up in a big, cozy winter coat. But for kids whose families can't afford a new jacket for the chillier weather, the season must only bring dread for the colder weather still ahead. That's where Share the Warmth comes in.

Share some warmth with the kids
Annual program collects new or gently used coats for children
By Christina Myers
Staff Reporter

When the fall winds blow and the leaves come tumbling down, there's something particularly comforting about snuggling up in a big, cozy winter coat. But for kids whose families can't afford a new jacket for the chillier weather, the season must only bring dread for the colder weather still ahead. That's where Share the Warmth comes in.

Disneyland for a day dazzles 130 kids
Non-profit group gives children opportunity families can't afford
Ian Austin, The Province
Published: Tuesday, October 17, 2006

As you read this, 130 ecstatic kids are scheduled to be winging their way to Disneyland. The ecstasy quotient is highest at Sir William Macdonald Elementary on Vancouver's east side, where 40 young children are realizing a dream their families simply can't afford. Agatha Reid is delighted her son Alan will be Disney-bound today. "It's a dream come true for him," the happy mother said yesterday. "I'm a single mother with five kids. I'm really glad that this school has a connection with Dreams Take Flight."

Police Credit Family and Media for Finding Megan Bazell
Fri, 2007-01-12 10:33

Local News Vernon Police say the public's aid and media reports played a significant role in locating Megan Bazell. The teenager went missing Saturday night and was returned home yesterday. Sunday morning the family began a heavy email and flyer campaign throughout Vernon. RCMP found the girl by tracking a cell phone to a residence on Westside Road where the girl was staying with a 19 year old male. Corporal Henry Proce, media relations officer with the RCMP says the family had good cooperation from the community and people seemed to rally behind them. He added one officer spent an entire shift trying to locate the girl. No charges are being considered in the incident. Rebecca Barton - Standard Radio News

Missing Vernon Girl

Police are growing more concerned over the disappearance of a 15 year old Vernon girl. Megan Bazell was last seen at home in bed on Saturday night and police say she left the house sometime before 10 am Sunday morning. Her family says this behaviour is out of the ordinary for Megan and have launched a flyer and email campaign to find her. Police do not suspect foul play and believed Megan may be in the company of her 19-year old boyfriend but he denies seeing her. Megan, also known as "Lamb" is 5'7", 183 pounds with brown hair and eyes.
If you have any information please contact RCMP.

Update - Missing 14 year old Boy has Been Found

Kwan (James) Yoon, the missing 14 year old boy from Coquitlam has returned home safe and sound. Investigators found out that James has become a fan of survival magazines. He wanted to get away for a bit so he grabbed a sleeping and off he went to try out some of the skills he had read about. He told officers he was camped out approximately 300 meters from his house. He had no idea there were so many people looking for him or he would have returned sooner.

Update - Missing 14 year old Boy

The Coquitlam RCMP are continuing to search for 14 year old Kwan (James) Ho Yoon of Coquitlam. Search and Rescue searched two parks on Westwood Plateau and the Bunsen Lake area last night. They will continue to search today, in and around the Eagle Mountain Trails, Port Coquitlam Trails and the Coquitlam River area.

Coquitlam Mounties hunt for missing boy
Ian Austin, The Province
Published: Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Coquitlam RCMP are very concerned about the mysterious disappearance of a 14-year-old boy. Kwan "James" Ho Yoon hasn't been seen since last Friday, when he was spotted at about 1 p.m. at Pinetree Secondary School. The boy, whose family says has no history of running away, did not return home from school on Friday afternoon. Even more worrying for his family, the young teen has not been seen or heard from since. The boy is described as five foot eight inches, 150 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes. He wears glasses. When last seen he was wearing a blue-and-grey winter jacket, grey pants, white sneakers, gloves and was carrying a blue Roots backpack.

The 14-year-old Pitt Meadows in-line skater survived a 12-metre plunge off a railway overpass after losing control on a downhill stretch and flying right over the protective railing. The Grade 9 student credits his skateboarding helmet with saving his life, and wants to make sure other kids wear lids.