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Chilliwack Connect feeds hundreds of city’s most vulnerable people

Hot meals, warm blankets and medical services provided in day of pampering led by Chilliwack volunteers
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A massive crew of volunteers held Chilliwack Connect on Oct. 28, feeding and caring for hundreds of Chilliwack residents. (Submitted photo)

Some of Chilliwack’s most impoverished residents were treated to a day of food, gifts and pampering on Saturday.

This year’s Chilliwack Connect had 479 registered guests, plus 31 children, who had the day to take advantage of free medical services, meals, and more. The event is hosted annually, this year with a team of 159 volunteers.

All told, they served 287 breakfasts, 670 lunches (including for the volunteers), and provided 95 take-out meals. Hairdressers and estheticians provided 141 hair washings, 127 haircuts, 50 hair stylings, 30 makeovers, 29 manicures and 32 foot baths.

A whopping 348 received gifts of clothing, while eight kids and one adult happily received new bikes. Almost 100 handmade quilts were also handed out to the guests.

But the day wasn’t just about pampering. Chilliwack Connect’s purpose is to provide health care services to those in need who may not have access, and to put them in touch with services for the future.

To that end, 17 people were seen by a chiropractor, 21 had hearing tests, and 11 took part in counselling. A further 29 met with other service providers, and even more visited with the public health nurse.

Finally, guests were able to sit for a portrait if they chose. About a fifth of them did, with 105 guests going home with a complimentary photograph of themselves. More than 300 people were given gift bags on their way out, as well.



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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