2020 Citizens Report

YEAR IN REVIEW

September 24 In September of 2020, someone broke into an office on the Albion Fairgrounds and stole $10,000 worth of gift cards that were an essential part of the annual Christmas Hamper Society’s reserves. Word spread about the theft and the community and region responded quickly. A local radio station raised $11,800 within hours. A local auto dealership donated $10,000. Another single donor stepped up with another $10,000 donation. In 2019 the Society made Christmas brighter for over 400 families. In 2020, the anticipated need was to support 700 families. The generosity of local citizens and businesses reflects the best of our community. As Lorraine Bates, the Society Chair noted in the front page story, “It’s the difference between a smile or tears on Christmas morning.” There were lots of smiles in 2020. October 8, 2020 Maple Ridge’s Elizabeth Rodriguez met the man of her dreams. They connected online, and when they finally met in person in 2019 they knew they were destined to be together forever. One slight problem. Daniel, her husband to be, was in San Diego. Elizabeth last saw him in March of 2020, just as the international borders were closing. These two were separated by thousands of miles, and an international border, but their love kept them connected. There’s a piece of land that borders BC and Washington State called Peace Arch park, and due to an 1814 treaty, this couple was able to exchange vows and wedding rings in the ‘no mans land’ between the two countries. It was not the wedding they originally planned but, like so many people in our community, Elizabeth took an innovative approach to seal the deal. After a two week quarantine the couple are living in Maple Ridge.

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